Ranji Trophy: Rajasthan-Vidarbha game shifted from Sawai Mansingh Stadium to allow IPL pitch preparation
Jaipur’s premier cricket ground, the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, wouldn’t be hosting the Rajasthan vs Vidarbha Ranji Trophy game starting on Thursday. Instead, the game has been moved to the KL Saini Stadium on the city’s outskirts. In times when the Indian board has emphasised the importance of domestic cricket’s oldest tournament, Jaipur’s main venue has given Ranji a miss as it is being prepared for the IPL that is two months away.
The KL Saini Stadium last hosted a First-Class match in December 2012. The upcoming IPL season begins on March 21.The Sawai Mansingh Stadium hosted all three of Rajasthan’s home games in the first leg this season. The ground also hosted seven Vijay Hazare Trophy group-stage matches recently, the last of them on January 5.
The decision to move Rajasthan’s home mat...