Rajasthan Royals (ANI photo)

Jaipur: with Rajasthan High Court A major hurdle in the state cricket administration has been removed with the suspension of the ad-hoc committee of the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA). The High Court has appointed Bhaskar A Sawant, Additional Chief Secretary in the state Home Department, as the sole administrator and directed him to complete the long-pending democratic elections within three months.The ad-hoc setup was hanging fire for more than two and a half years after the exit of former chairman Vaibhav Gehlot in February 2024. Despite seeing a revolving door of political coordinators and multiple extensions, the temporary panel completely failed in its original mandate of conducting the elections.The immediate outcome of judicial realignment is positive for the sports scenario of the state. A stable, constitutionally elected leadership will eventually be able to resume work on the association’s half-built Premier Chonup Stadium project and resolve other long-pending issues. Over the years, local cricket development has been held hostage by disputes over exorbitant rental fees and access to the Sawai Mansingh Stadium.Importantly, the HC order also strengthens the prospects Indian Premier League (IPL) continues in Jaipur. Relations between the RCA and the Rajasthan State Sports Council (RSSC) had broken down in early 2024, when the Sports Council sealed the stadium and the RCA headquarters over the expiry of its MOU and outstanding dues of around Rs 8 crore.With the RCA transformed into an unelected ad-hoc committee, the apex cricket board (BCCI) made an extraordinary, one-time arrangement to allow the sports council to host IPL matches in Jaipur for the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Rajasthan Royals Under this special arrangement match operations are coordinated directly with the sports department, although the BCCI generally prefers to deal with the appropriately elected member association. However, the BCCI has repeatedly clarified that such temporary reforms cannot continue. IPL chairman Arun Singh Dhumal has said that IPL matches can be held in Jaipur only if the RCA conducts proper elections and forms a democratically elected body, as well as ensuring that the venue is up to IPL standards. The franchise is also assessing the readiness of the facility.By appointing a professional administrator with a clear mandate to conduct elections within three months, the HC has directly addressed BCCI’s key condition. This significantly improves the chances of the Royals continuing to play their home matches in Jaipur without any administrative uncertainty.Long running questions: Now questions are being raised over the fate of the actions taken by the outgoing ad-hoc panel, including the recently initiated internal inquiry against Bharatpur DCA secretary Shatrughan Tiwari over harassment complaints by women players.People familiar with the matter say the new administrator may investigate such matters if the affected players approach RCA again.Additionally, some players have expressed concerns over whether their performances in the recently concluded Colwyn Shield, which serves as a major selection criteria for the senior men’s team, will be considered by the elected body in the future. They are hoping that their efforts will not go in vain.