Jaipur: The Indian Premier League (IPL) will kick-off on March 26 but big-time cricket action will not return to the Pink City before mid-April.Although the BCCI has not officially announced the schedule of the nineteenth edition yet, sources revealed that the first of the four home matches of the Rajasthan Royals will be held in Jaipur only after April 15.The Royals have decided to play their first three home games at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, Assam. The remaining four ties will be held here at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium.After a high-level meeting between RR chairperson Ranjit Barthakur and Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma, the Jaipur-based franchise agreed to play four matches in the city provided the government fulfils their long list of demands over stadium safety and infrastructure.Meanwhile, the upgradation work at the SMS Stadium is going on war footing. After the visit of Rajasthan chief secretary V Srinivas on Monday, the work has gained momentum as the venue is racing against time to get ready for the IPL.The Rajasthan State Sports Council with the help of PWD department and other govt resources have launched various civil works focussing on fire and life safety aspects. The state govt has sanctioned more than Rs 10 crores to improve the overall facilities of the stadium.The authorities have also begun work for washroom upgradation, lift installation, proper seating arrangements and removing the damaged fencing with a new one.During the renovation of the entire stadium, the floodlights will also be changed. The existing halogen lights will be replaced by modern LED lights which are being used across the globe.To increase the stadium capacity there was a plan to add temporary stands on the eastern side of the stadium. However, sources said the plan has been dropped as time is too short to build the stands now.
