Introduction to Rajasthan Cricket Association
Rajasthan Cricket Association is the premier institution engaged in encouraging the game of cricket in the state of Rajasthan. It also organizes all kind of cricket matches viz, Ranji Trophy, National and International matches in Rajasthan. Formerly known as Rajputana Cricket Association in the erstwhile Rajasthan. The Rajputana Cricket Association came into existence in 1931 at Ajmer. During 1935-36 the team constituted by Rajputana Cricket Association participated in famous Ranji Trophy and defeated various visiting teams.
The year 1956 brought changes in the administrative set up in Rajputana Cricket Association when it’s headquarter was shifted from Ajmer to Udaipur and the then His Highness Maharana Bhatwat Singh was elected as it’s President. Maharana Bhatwat Singh was a living legend of his time and devoted most of his time to improve the situation of sports in the state, he rejuvenated the association and associated the Late Prince Duleep Singh with the association to share the techniques of game with the upcoming cricketers from Rajasthan. Going through sane contribution for encouragement of cricket in the state, the Mewar Trophy was named after his name. The Mewar Trophy is presented for the teams participating in the zonal champion league, the teams from Rajasthan, Indian Railways, Vidharba, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh participated in these matches.
The major change in the association took place in the year 1957, when the name of Rajputana Cricket Association was changed into Rajasthan Cricket Association and finally its head office was shifted to Jaipur. In the preliminary days when players from Rajasthan started playing cricket it was mainly played on matt wickets which were specifically located in Mayo College at Ajmer, Alwar and Udaipur districts.
Matches Played under the flag of RCA:
The ever first team to visit Ajmer for a match after constitution of Rajputana Cricket Association was in the year 1933 under D.R. Jardine, it was at that time when Rajputana tasted the joy of its first victory when they defeated the visiting team under the captaincy of Lord Tennyson by two wickets.
However, the initiative of spreading the consciousness about the game of crickets amongst the players goes to Mayo College of Ajmer during 1875, when the members of the Mayo College and members of Central Indian Railway played cricket under the auspice of English Staff.
As the history reveals the 1st ever cricket match on the land of Rajputana was played between Mayo College Ajmer and Government College at Ajmer. However, Rajputana played their first Ranji Trophy Match in the year 1935 at Indore where they defeated by 242 runs. Whereas, the first ever Ranji Troply match played on the land of Rajasthan was in the year 1936 in which also Rajasthan got defeated by 125 runs.
At present Rajasthan Cricket Association is on the way to progress well under the presidency of Honorable. Shri. C.P. Joshi, Minister of Panchayati Raj, Government of India.