Vaibhav Gehlot, the Chief of the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA), tendered his resignation on Monday. The resignation came in the wake of a purported vote of no confidence against him, although Gehlot asserted that no official or office-bearer had approached him regarding this matter.The turmoil within the RCA escalated when, on February 23, the Rajasthan Sports Council (RSC) took the unprecedented step of locking the RCA premises. This move followed a notice issued by the RSC on February 19, declaring the expiration of the agreement concerning the Rajasthan Cricket Academy and the SMS Stadium on February 21. The RSC sought the return of control over these facilities, effectively restricting the RCA from utilizing the cricket ground and its associated offices.Vaibhav Gehlot, son of former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, attributed the RSCs actions to a sense of vengeance following the change in government. Maintaining that no RCA office-bearer had expressed disagreement with him, Gehlot expressed his willingness to resign earlier had such dissent been communicated. He emphasised, For me, this post is not important, but the cricket in Rajasthan and the future of players is important. I will never let this be harmed. I will always be available in the future for the interest of Rajasthan cricket, cricketers, and cricket lovers.Gehlot highlighted his efforts to expand cricket beyond Jaipur, citing the renovation of the stadium in Jodhpur and the initiation of work on a world-class stadium in Udaipur. He explained that, lacking its own stadium, the RCA had entered into an agreement with the state government to use the SMS Stadium for international matches. Additionally, Gehlot pointed out the ongoing construction of a cricket stadium along the Jaipur-Delhi highway in collaboration with the Vedanta Group.Expressing dismay at the hasty actions of the RSC in locking the RCA premises, Gehlot remarked, This action has indicated that the positive atmosphere we have created for cricket is getting damaged. It is intolerable for me that IPL matches in the state should be at risk or cricket should suffer. To safeguard the game and the players from this situation, I am tendering my resignation.Gehlot also lamented the neglect suffered by cricket during the tenure of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Rajasthan from 2013 to 2018, which led to an RCA ban and the consequent absence of cricket matches in the state. Since assuming the role of RCA president in 2019, Gehlot claimed to have revitalised cricket, fostering its growth and engaging young enthusiasts.Responding to Gehlots claims, RSC Secretary Sohan Ram Choudhary asserted that the RCA owed dues amounting to ₹3 crore over several years. He added, Many notices were sent, but they did not respond. The financial dispute appears to be a significant point of contention in the ongoing developments within the Rajasthan Cricket Association.
