IPL 2018: Rajasthan Royals Rope in Zubin Bharucha as Head of Cricket Operations

Rajasthan Royals have roped in former Mumbai batsman, Zubin Bharucha as their Head of Cricketing Operations.

Bharucha is a former first-class cricketer who played 17 first-class and 11 List A games for both Mumbai and Surrey. He has been associated with the franchise right from the start of the T20 league.

Earlier, he was the team Director of the Rajasthan based franchise for eight years before the franchise got banned for two years.

“It’s a great honour and privilege to once again be part of the Rajasthan Royals franchise. The philosophy at the Royals has always been about finding the next generation of Indian Stars. We spend a lot of time getting to know our players, but spend infinitely longer hours on what they can become,” Bharucha said.

Rajasthan will be going into the IPL auction with a purse of Rs 68.5 Crores, as the franchise retained just one player in the form of Steven Smith, who cost them Rs 12.5 Crores. This franchise has always been known for relying more on local and domestic talent, a thing which we might see again in the IPL auction.

Meanwhile, there is still uncertainty over Rajasthan Royals playing its home game in Sawai Man Singh Stadium in Jaipur, which is also their home ground. A report in TOI suggests the home games of the franchise might be played in Lucknow due to functioning in Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA).

BCCI recently lifted the ban on RCA, but it would take some time for the things to go back to normal. Hence, the franchise is looking forward to shifting its base.

The decision on the matter is likely to come out on Monday during the IPL governing council meeting, where discussions would also take place regarding the upcoming IPL auction.

The auction for the upcoming IPL season will take place on January 27 and 28. On the first day of the auction, the capped players will go under the hammer. On the second day of the auction, franchises will pick the uncapped players. The eleventh edition of the IPL will start in the first week of April.

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