Overview
- The BCCI’s first-phase IPL 2026 schedule lists Rajasthan Royals’ home games on March 30 vs Chennai Super Kings, April 7 vs Mumbai Indians and April 10 vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Guwahati.
- Former India opener Aakash Chopra questioned the rationale for the arrangement, citing the roughly 1,587‑kilometre distance from Rajasthan and noting that captain Riyan Parag’s Assam roots only partly explain the choice.
- Coverage reports, without official confirmation, that the clustering in Guwahati stemmed from a franchise request and scheduling around Assam elections, with approval attributed to BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia.
- Only the first 20 matches of the season are scheduled so far, leaving the possibility that Rajasthan Royals’ remaining home fixtures could be staged in Jaipur later.
- Guwahati has served as a secondary base for the franchise, with long-running friction with the Rajasthan Cricket Association and reported concerns over Sawai Mansingh Stadium infrastructure forming part of the backdrop.