RCA to protest Jaipur's omission from IPL-7

Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) is set to protest the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) decision to not allot any Indian Premier League (IPL) matches to Jaipur this year.

Yesterday, the BCCI released the second and final leg schedule which will take place in India (as reported by mid-day on Thursday) from May 2 to June 1.

While no reason was mentioned in the BCCI media release for leaving out Jaipur, RCA deputy president Dr Bimal Soni suspected the impending return of former IPL boss Lalit Modi's entry to the RCA as a reason for the BCCI leaving out Jaipur's Sawai Man Singh Stadium from their list of venues.

"Yes, it could be because Lalit Modi is set to return to the RCA fold," Dr Soni told mid-day. He added RCA will protest this decision and write to the BCCI today.

Rajasthan Royals, who won all their home matches in Jaipur in IPL-6, will now play their home matches in Ahmedabad. Meanwhile, 36 IPL matches will be held in India across 10 cities, the media release stated.

"Each franchise will play nine matches in India, with five of the eight teams playing at least four matches in their home stadium.

Chennai Super Kings will play two matches at Ranchi, while Kings XI Punjab will play two games in Cuttack. Rajasthan Royals will play four matches at Ahmedabad," BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel said in a statement.

However, there will be no matches on May 1, May 16 and May 17. A total of seven matches have been allotted to Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium including Qualifier 2 and the final.