IPL: Royals may be left without 1st name

JAIPUR: There could be more trouble in store for the beleaguered Rajasthan Royals. As if the spot-fixing and betting troubles are not enough, the Jaipur-based IPL franchise might soon have to fight a legal battle to save their name.

That is, if they do not get the BCCI boot from the premier domestic Twenty20 tournament.

According to sources, the state government might initiate legal actions against the Royals for using 'Rajasthan' in their name. "According to the state government's Sport Act, any sports organisation cannot use the word 'Rajasthan' without prior permission," an official told TOI.

"This IPL franchise has been doing that for the past six years. This issue hadn't come up earlier as there weren't any controversies involving the team. But now, with the name of the team being dragged into so much muck, it is time for us to take action. We cannot allow the name of our state Rajasthan to be tarnished."

The sports council has initiated the move. The body has requested the Registrar of Societies to take action against the franchise and will provide all the necessary documents.

Incidentally, the franchise is not registered in Rajasthan and it remains to be seen if it falls under the purview of the state's Sports Act. Rajasthan Royals is a team owned by Jaipur IPL Cricket Pvt Ltd, which is registered in Mumbai.

With three Royals players S Sreesanth, Ankeet Chavan and Ajit Chandila being arrested on spot-fixing charges and co-owner Raj Kundra being questioned for his involvement in betting, Rajasthan Royals has acquired a bad name in recent times. "Fans in the state are angry and are demanding an explanation," the official said. "We have a responsibility towards them."

IPL-VI was a mixed bag for the Royals. On the field, they put up their best show after the first edition, which they had won. Under skipper Rahul Dravid, the Royals finished third and qualified for the Champions League.

However, off the field, they were plagued by various issues. An extended turf war between Rajasthan Cricket Association and the sports council almost pushed them out of their comfort zone, Sawai Mansingh Stadium.

The spot-fixing arrests could not derail their campaign. The Kundra saga rubbed salt to injury. And now comes the fight to retain their name. Royals' troubles just do not seem to end.

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Shweta Pandey

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