GUWAHATI: If only Riyan Parag had walked his own talk, he might have given the people of Assam much more reasons to cheer for ahead of the biggest festival of the state - Bihu - in one week’s time. And Rajasthan Royals - the 'home' team - the 'home' feeling.
A couple of hours ahead of his last chance this season to impress the home crowd with some good on-field performance, the 21-year-old, busy on social media, tweeted, "You always have more time than you think #50". However, coming into bat at the fall of his Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson at 103/2 in the 10th over, Riyan had time on his side to pace his innings but that was never to be.
But playing his 50th match in the league, Riyan again flattered to deceive as his off and middle stumps were shattered by West Indian Rovman Powell after scoring 7 runs off 11 balls. However, the around 70-80 percent full gallery on a second Saturday afternoon didn't go to a silent mode as most would have thought.
Asked about their bonding with the Royals as 'home' team, a fan at the stadium, Pradip Deka, in his 20s, said, "Only Riyan in the team and having an academy here (in collaboration with ACA) are not enough to feel that connect as a home fan here. It's true that this is the first time IPL matches are being played here but we know that this is just for two games and not the whole season as the team is not from the city.
"Also there is no big Indian star in the side like Virat (Kohli), Rohit (Sharma) or MS Dhoni who can draw people on their own. Riyan is a home boy, but he is not a star to attract people like them."
Jitu Bora, another supporter in his 40s, feels the high ticket price also kept people from thronging the stands. "High price of ticket is another reason why a section of people that want to come to the stadium are unable to do so as they can't spend almost Rs 1500-2000 per person including ticket, food, parking fees, transport, etc. Here the lowest price of ticket is Rs 1000, while in Jaipur it starts from Rs 800.
"Why this disparity between two homes? They (team management) should have taken into account the purchase capacity of Guwahati people," said Bora.
"Most college or university going students, who form a major part of the stadium going crowd, don't have the capacity to spend more than Rs 500/- per ticket to come for a match. So they are staying away," feels Bora.
To the people of the state, who are far from feeling that deep connection with Rajasthan Royals despite the franchise making Barsapara Cricket Stadium their second 'home', the frustrating knocks from Riyan haven't done anything to bridge that gap and let the crowd feel at 'home' for the Royals.
