Gavaskar denies discrimination in giving RR games to Ahmedabad

Interim President of BCCI-IPL Sunil Gavaskar today said the uncertainty over Jaipur's status to host the T20 league games and Rajasthan Royals' willingness to play in Ahmedabad led to the franchise's home ties to be shifted to the Motera Ground in the Gujarat city.

"What I can say is the BCCI-IPL had sent letters earlier on to all associations asking for their availability in view of the fact that this year the general elections are on. We have scheduled the matches according to the okays that we have received from various associations. And because there was that little bit of uncertainty about Jaipur," Gavaskar told reporters outside the Board's headquarters here.
 

He explained that some home games of Chennai Super Kings and Kings XI Punjab have also been shifted to other cities - Ranchi and Cuttack - respectively.

"And not just Jaipur, as you see from the schedule, Chennai and Mohali have also had issues. Therefore, the endeavour has been to make sure that the schedule is not been disrupted," said the former India skipper.

He referred to the recent Rajasthan Cricket Association's election results which are being contested by the BCCI in the Supreme Court.

"Besides, I think the RCA matters are also sub-judice. Also the fact that the Rajasthan Royals did indicate that they would be happy to play at Ahmedabad, the decision that was taken was in view of that.

"But it is also in view of the fact that every franchise has been talked to. Some of the regular venues like Dharamsala, for example, has missed out, Chennai will get only a couple of matches because of the election situation.

"That is how it is, so it doesn't rule these venues out from next season's IPL but in the the current circumstances with the kind of uncertainty that was there, the decision was taken only because of that and not for any other reason," explained Gavaskar.

He said the franchises would be compensated for the extra expenses that will be incurred by them because of the shifting of IPL's initial matches, scheduled from April 16, to the UAE.