Cricket to be served hot on desert menu

We all remember how the maharaja in 'Lagaan' was enthusiastically rooting for his home team in the cricket match against the angrezi hukumat. Well, royals are rooting for cricket, like they always have, in an IPL-style league now – the love for the gentleman’s game in Rajasthan has led to the formation of the Rajwada T-20 Cricket League (RCL). After the successful Season 1 of the league, held in February this year, the organisers are looking at hosting another entertaining season.The launch party of the second season was hosted at a Mehrauli resort recently. The tourney will take place in Rajasthan later this year.
Amin Pathan, chairman, RCL, and vice-president, Rajasthan Cricket Association, told us, "The rajwadas are the ones who promoted this game in India. They were well-travelled and have even represented India in places like the UK in cricket matches. RCL just goes to prove how much Rajasthan, the royals and others love this game." The MP of Kota Bundi, Om Birla, added, "Rajasthan mein ek junoon hai cricket ka... shehron mein bhi aur gaon mein bhi. Tournaments like RCL help to channelize that energy and enthusiasm. Players can test their potential in this league and see where they stand."
Amin Pathan, chairman, RCL and Pankaj Sethi, the hosts of the party
The party saw models on the ramp in jerseys of the eight teams that’ll be participating in the tourney. Cricketer Siddharth Trivedi said, "Though I won’t be playing in the tournament, I’ll always be there to support the young guns of Rajasthan." Trivedi played for the Rajasthan Royals in IPL from 2008-2013.
But it was Kainaat Arora who stole the show, with everyone wanting to take a selfie with the actress. When asked if she’d ever played cricket, she said, "No, I am more of a basketball and badminton player. But irrespective of which game it is, I believe that it requires guts to participate. I have in the past supported the Uttarakhand Premier League and now I am happy to promote RCL."”