The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is facing a scheduling headache ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. Following the announcement of state assembly election dates, questions have arisen about whether Rajasthan Royals (RR) matches will be played without changes in the first phase.
The Assam elections clash with cricket matches scheduled in Guwahati. The Election Commission of India has confirmed April 9 as the voting date in Assam. The BCCI has released the first 20 fixtures of the Indian Premier League, and Guwahati is scheduled to host three matches in the first phase.
The organizers announced only the initial phase of the schedule to manage the complex security arrangements during multiple state assembly elections.
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Rajasthan Royals Set to Play Three Matches in Guwahati
The Rajasthan Royals will play three home matches at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati. They will face the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on March 30 before taking on the Mumbai Indians on April 7. The Royals will then host the Royal Challengers Bengaluru on April 10.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia addressed the possible scheduling concerns. He dismissed rumors about moving the matches away from Guwahati and confirmed that local police authorities have assured proper security arrangements for the IPL fixtures.
“There will be no rescheduling of IPL matches in Guwahati in Assam. I have already spoken to the honourable Assam Chief Minister and the Guwahati Commissioner of Police. Both have assured me that they will manage to conduct the matches, and there’s no need to change the schedule,” Saikia told the Times of India.
IPL Scheduling Faces Challenges During Election Period
Managing cricket matches during an election period requires careful logistical coordination from local authorities. State police forces must monitor polling booths, secure financial transfers, and safely transport electronic voting machines.
Border security forces also remain on high alert because Assam shares an international border with Bangladesh. While the Rajasthan Royals deal with these scheduling challenges, some other teams currently enjoy a geographical advantage.
Teams like the Mumbai Indians (MI) and the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) do not face any state election conflicts this spring. As a result, these teams could enjoy uninterrupted home advantages during the crucial April fixtures.
Rajasthan Royals Shift Base to Guwahati
The Rajasthan Royals will play three home matches in Guwahati. Notanlu, the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur is also going through a mandatory security audit. After their games in the Northeast, the team will face a tough run of consecutive away matches in mid-April.
The remaining IPL schedule will be announced after the elections are over. Voting will take place in West Bengal, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, but the match dates there have enough gaps to avoid clashes. As a result, the Rajasthan Royals will continue with their planned matches in Guwahati without any changes.
The expanded IPL season has also made security planning more difficult for the BCCI. With 84 matches in the tournament, organizers may schedule fewer doubleheaders during busy voting weeks. This approach will help manage crowds better and reduce pressure on local police.
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