Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has questioned Rajasthan Royals for playing three out of their first four games in IPL 2026 in Guwahati. The inaugural champions’ second preferred home stadium is Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, with Sawai Man Singh Stadium in Jaipur being the first.
Riyan Parag’s team will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against five-time champions Chennai Super Kings at Guwahati on 30th March. After playing their second match against the Gujarat Titans at Ahmedabad, RR will once again return to Guwahati to take on Mumbai Indians on 7th April. RR will then taken on reigning champions RCB on 10th April at Guwahati.
“Two teams are getting three games apiece at home. One of them are the Rajasthan Royals, who don’t play at home at all. I have never understood their story to date, as to what their system is. Their home away from home is in Guwahati. All three of their games are in Guwahati. I am wondering what their connection with Guwahati is,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
The renowned commentator said it would have been understandable if KKR had decided to play in Guwahati.
“The team’s name is Rajasthan Royals. Rajasthan is in the west of India. Guwahati is in the east of India. It’s understandable if Kolkata want to go there, as it’s their catchment area. 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,” he observed.
On the other hand, the former Delhi cricketer said it doesn’t matter if KKR are playing at home or away. In the previous season, KKR were not given the home advantage by the curator. Chopra also questioned KKR’s fast bowlers’ availability.
“The other team that has three games at home is Kolkata. It doesn’t make a difference whether Kolkata are playing at home or not. Their problem is which fast bowlers will play at home. Don’t know whether Pathirana will be fit or not, who they will take in place of Fizz, and what will happen about Harshit Rana,” he said.
The renowned commentator reckons finding the ideal batting order will also be KKR’s concern.
“Their worries are very, very different from everybody else. They might also be thinking whether they can make one of Finn Allen and Tim Seifert, or both open, whether they should retain Ajinkya Rahane as captain, and if they retain him, who would open, where should Cameron Green be made to bat as they have given him so much money, and that he would be totally useless if he doesn’t play in the top three,” Chopra observed.
IPL 2026 will commence on March 28.
