Assam: On-ground works underway for Rajasthan Royals' matches in Guwahati
Guwahati: With barely three weeks to go before the Rajasthan Royals team arrives in Guwahati, Assam, operational works at the Assam Cricket Association (ACA) Stadium are being undertaken in full swing.
The RR team is scheduled for two matches and will face Punjab Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders on May 15 and 19 respectively.
The RR, which is currently placed on top of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 points table with eight wins and 16 points from their opening nine matches, is scheduled to arrive in Guwahati on May 13 after playing three more matches in Hyderabad (May 2), Delhi (May 9), and Chennai (May 12).
To get the ACA Stadium in its prime condition, Rajasthan Royals' Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jake Lush McCrum, along with other members of the management have been outlining and executing various preparations.
Speaking on the team's return to the Northeast, McCrum said, "We are incredibly excited to be coming back to Guwahati to play two more matches and are focused on how we can provide our passionate supporters in the region with the best possible matchday viewing experience. The ACA Stadium is one of the best in the country, and we are together working to create the atmosphere that our players loved playing during the last season in Guwahati."
"There was so much positivity around our matches last year, we can’t wait to allow thousands of fans to watch the team in action. We are delighted to have extensive support from the Assam Cricket Association (ACA) who have made significant improvements in the stadium infrastructure by upgrading the hospitality area, renovating media facilities, and also launching the special residential project," he added.
Being extensively involved in the day-to-day planning and monitoring of the preparations, McCrum also elaborated on the initiatives RR has planned to make the IPL experience more accessible than ever before for the fans.
"We have a host of initiatives planned within Guwahati, in Assam and the entire Northeast to create a real buzz about the RR coming back to the region. We are activating local malls, educational institutions, restaurants and many more to provide an insight into what to expect when we take the field on May 15 and 19. We are also going organising competitions for the fans which will provide them the opportunity to earn themselves money-can't-buy experiences," McCrum further said.
Among the activities planned by the franchise, the City Center Mall is currently home to a Rajasthan Royals fan zone, wherein cricketing enthusiasts will have the opportunity to feel closer to their favourite team through a selfie zone, augmented reality-led zone, among others. The fan zone is open for the cricket lovers to visit and experience from 2 pm to 10 pm every day.