Rajasthan Royals Under Fire for Moving Marquee Matches from Jaipur to Guwahati; Aakash Chopra Questions 'Connection'

GUWAHATI / JAIPUR – The Rajasthan Royals’ decision to shift a significant portion of their home games to Guwahati for the 2026 IPL season has sparked a heated debate, with former Indian cricketer and commentator Aakash Chopra questioning the logic behind the move.

Despite being rooted in the west of India, the Royals are scheduled to play three of their seven home matches at the Assam Cricket Association (ACA) Stadium in Guwahati. Notably, these aren’t just any fixtures—they are high-profile "marquee" clashes against crowd-pulling powerhouses: Mumbai Indians (MI), Chennai Super Kings (CSK), and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)

"Never Understood the Story"

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra expressed his confusion regarding the franchise’s scheduling strategy. He pointed out that while other teams like Punjab Kings play at secondary venues within their geographical "catchment area" (such as Dharamsala), the Royals are trekking across the country.

"The team's name is Rajasthan Royals. Rajasthan is in the west of India. Guwahati is in the east. It’s understandable if Kolkata [Knight Riders] want to go there, as it’s their catchment area," Chopra remarked. "I have never understood their story to date, as to what their system is."

The Riyan Parag Factor

While the Royals have played in Guwahati in previous seasons, the 2026 shift feels more permanent as they will open their home stand there. Critics and fans alike have noted that while the appointment of local hero Riyan Parag as captain provides a regional link, it may not justify moving the biggest games of the season away from their loyal fanbase in Jaipur.

"You can still understand the affiliation for Guwahati since Riyan Parag is the captain now, but this team has nothing to do with Guwahati in any way," Chopra added.

A Strategic Fortress?

For the Rajasthan Royals, the pressure is now on to turn the ACA Stadium into a "fortress." Shifting high-stakes games against MI, CSK, and RCB means the team will face some of the most intense atmospheres in the league far from their traditional home at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium.

As the IPL 2026 season kicks off on March 28, all eyes will be on whether this "home away from home" strategy pays off on the points table, or if the lack of a true home advantage in Jaipur will come back to haunt the inaugural champions.

Key Highlights:

• Venue: ACA Stadium, Guwahati will host three RR home games.

• Opponents: Marquee matches against MI, CSK, and RCB moved to Guwahati.

• Criticism: Aakash Chopra questions the geographical and logical connection between Rajasthan and Assam.

• Local Link: Riyan Parag’s captaincy is seen as the primary bridge to the Guwahati crowd.