JODHPUR: The newly renovated Barkatullah Khan Stadium is currently playing host to a Ranji Trophy match after 32 years and it is a potential sign of the Indian Premier League (IPL) making its way into the Sun City. But how soon? The Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) president Vaibhav Gehlot says he is in 'continuous talks' with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and will try his best to get both the IPL and international matches in his hometown Jodhpur.
Excerpts from the interview:
Q. How did the thought of getting the Barkatullah stadium back to life come to you?
VG: When I took over as the RCA president in 2019, a month later I visited the Barkatullah Khan Stadium. The sentiment in Jodhpur and the Marwar region was that cricket must come back here. It was in a dilapidated condition and required complete revamp so that I could invite the BCCI to have a look and approve it for various matches. But the main hurdle was finance. Then we spoke to Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot to grant a budget for the renovation work. Because I belong to Jodhpur and fought the Lok Sabha election from here, there was expectation of people when I became the RCA president.
The effort in this direction was also made by former RCA president CP Joshi when he was at the helm and at that time he had made me the member of a special committee in 2012 to see the possibilities of how the stadium could be revived. So we have been working on this front for a long time.
The effort in this direction was also made by former RCA president CP Joshi when he was at the helm and at that time he had made me the member of a special committee in 2012 to see the possibilities of how the stadium could be revived. So we have been working on this front for a long time.
Q. How close are you to hosting IPL games in Jodhpur?
VG: We want to get Jodhpur back on the cricket map of India. Since Ranji Trophy games are now being held here, it means the ground has been approved by the apex cricket body. Now our focus is definitely to ensure we get to host IPL and international matches here.
Both the Rajasthan Royals and the BCCI management have seen the renovated stadium. We have presented our case that the ground is ready to host the matches. A few days back Royals' technical team had visited Jodhpur and we have asked them that they should consider the new venue for the coming seasons. Partly we and the Royals are on the same page as far as hosting a few IPL games in Jodhpur is concerned. And both the RCA and the Royals will have to convince the BCCI and the IPL governing body.
Q. When will you next meet BCCI bosses to take an update on the same?
VG: We are informally in talks with them and will very soon go and meet them to pursue the issue. I am trying my best to get the IPL here from this season along with international matches.
Q. Is Jodhpur your priority given it is your constituency?
VG: Jaipur and Jodhpur are equal for me. Udaipur is also my priority. The focus is on developing three cricket venues in Rajasthan. Jaipur is already there, Jodhpur is now ready and we have also got land in Udaipur.
Joshi century helps Rajasthan fightback
Playing only his second first-class match, Samarpit Joshi proved to be the catalyst for Rajasthan as he revived the team with a powerful knock of 123 off 181 balls against Chhattisgarh on day one in a Group C match of the Ranji Trophy at the Barkatullah Khan Stadium here on Tuesday. On the way to his maiden ton, he struck 11 boundaries and a couple of sixes. The 23-year-old wicketkeeper batter from Udaipur weaved crucial partnerships of 97 and 99 with Sahil Dhiwan (41 off 78 balls) and Manav Suthar (45 not out off 90 balls), respectively to take the hosts to 330/8 at stumps.
Chhattisgarh won the toss and chose to bowl first and had Rajasthan in trouble in the first session. The top-order failed to cope with the morning conditions and Rajasthan were reduced to 89/4 before Joshi brought the team back into the game.
Meanwhile, in Ashok Menaria's absence, Aniket Choudhary is leading Rajasthan. Menaria is battling a hamstring injury.
