EXCLUSIVE: We believe fortunes will change for our side: Rajasthan Royals Chairman Ranjit Barthakur

The IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals has had a quiet season thus far, but the chairman is confident that the fortunes will change for the side sooner or later if players continue to give their cent percent on the field.

In a freewheeling chat with News Nation, the chairman of Rajasthan Royals, Mr. Ranjit Barthakur talks about the team’s performance and much more. Excerpts from the interview… 

1. Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot came to witness the first game between Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab and mentioned that Jodhpur can be Rajasthan Royals second home ground. How do you see this?

We welcome the suggestion of Jodhpur being Rajasthan Royals second home ground but it entirely depends on the format of IPL and what Board of Control for Cricket in India feels in this.

We believe that expansion of this will expand our franchise, fan base, and is great for Rajasthan because a tournament like IPL helps to build a healthy nation, and is equally a great attraction for tourist all over the world.

2. How has been the role of Rajasthan Cricket Association, Sports Council, and Government in structuring this edition of Indian Premier League at Sawai Mansingh Stadium?

It has been positive, to be honest. We haven’t really had any negatives and the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) head C.P Joshi has been supportive in wanting to get this whole tournament done well. There have been some niggles, and challenges but overall has been good.

We also give the greatest number of complimentary tickets because we are cognizant that we want people to be involved with Rajasthan Royals and want people from all box of life to be supportive of this initiative.

3. Have people been able to relate more to pink than blue? How has been the response from one and all?

The response has been phenomenal. Whatever we have heard, the response has been superb and people somehow love it. The second thing is pink is different because most teams have blueish tinge or they have a darkish tinge except for Chennai Super Kings.

To that extent, yellow and pink seem to be the dominant colors which stand out in the field. On the other side, there are opinions that people say blue is better, and I don’t deny that but right now, the majority seems to love pink.

4. Last year Rajasthan Royals did Cancer Out Campaign as their CSR activity, what activity the franchise is looking to do this year and why?

I have a different take on this. I believe any institution must have society right in front of it. I don’t think it’s corporate social responsibility, I think including and working for society should be the purpose of business and very purpose of cricket is to involve one and all.

From cancer out, we have taken a larger role and now we concentrate on empowering women. It is not condescending to say that we are empowering women, it is women who are empowered already, they take the cause and we support the cause in roughly four areas – health care, empowered women, promoting women sport, and child labor. Lastly, our aim is to make Jaipur child labor free.

5. Rajasthan Royals is probably the one team which is playing well but not getting the desired results. How confident are you that fortunes will change for the side?  

Well, we hope that fortunes will change for our side sooner or later because I really believe as you rightly said that we really do have a really good and balanced team. Maybe, we are not executing well, so as long as the execution comes about, the results would start coming.

6. Can you please take us through what all happens in the background to make this IPL such a grand event?

There is a lot which goes at the back end but to comprise it to a small version, it goes around nine verticals largely. From picking the right team to kitting, to training, to marketing, to a lot more. Then come business generation and support. So to cut it short, a lot of things happens at the backend to make a team.