The New Floodlights at Sawai Mansingh Stadium
Kumar Sangakkara, the head coach of Rajasthan Royals, has recently spoken about the new floodlights installed at Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. This discussion came after concerns were raised by fans and players during IPL 2026.
The issue first became apparent during a match between Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 25. Fans noticed several dropped catches, leading to speculation that the new LED floodlights might be affecting the fielders’ performance.
Before IPL 2026, the stadium underwent an upgrade with the installation of new LED lights. These lights have significantly improved visibility and brightness on the field. However, players found it challenging to track the ball as it rose into the evening sky.
The topic remained a point of discussion when Rajasthan Royals faced Delhi Capitals on May 1. Despite some improvement in the previous match, the floodlights continued to be a concern ahead of their upcoming game against Gujarat Titans in Jaipur.
Sangakkara’s Perspective on the Situation
Sangakkara shared his insights with the media, explaining that the team is working to adapt to the brighter lights for their match against Gujarat Titans. He stated:
“I think they have done a great job with redoing the floodlights. They’re LED lights, and then you know, they’re quite different to what we are used to in other grounds. They are much brighter and give a larger amount of visibility. So we’ve been trying to see what the right adjustment is so that the fielders are comfortable and they don’t lose the ball in the glare of the lights.”
Sangakkara praised the stadium authorities for their proactive approach in addressing the team’s concerns. They have made efforts to adjust the direction and intensity of the lights.
Communication with Stadium Authorities
The former Sri Lanka captain mentioned that Rajasthan Royals management had discussions with the stadium officials after the issue became evident during matches. Sangakkara added:
“So we’ve spoken to the ground authorities and they have tried to lower or extend or change the direction of the lights. And in the second game [vs Delhi Capitals on May 1], I think it was fine. It’s never easy when the lights are in a glare, but I think they have done a great job with the ability to adjust that as well, so it’s great for modern technology to have such good lighting.”
His comments indicate that the problem may now be under control, although players are still adjusting to the changes.
Rajasthan Royals’ Season and Future Outlook
Rajasthan Royals have had an unpredictable IPL season so far. After finishing ninth last season, the franchise decided to rehire Sangakkara as head coach in hopes of achieving better results.
The team also made significant changes before IPL 2026. They acquired Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran from Chennai Super Kings while Sanju Samson moved to Chennai after his tenure as captain.
Jadeja has consistently performed well this season, while Curran was later declared unavailable due to an injury. Rajasthan Royals started the season with an impressive four-match winning streak but have since lost four of their last six matches.
According to the IPL 2026 points table, Rajasthan Royals are currently in fourth place after securing six victories from their ten games. However, they have the lowest net run rate among the top four teams.
The Rajasthan Royals will aim to regain their winning form when they face the Gujarat Titans in Jaipur following an eight-day break.
