The Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur has been bustling with energy for the last few days, as Rajasthan Royals amps up its preparations for the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
While the Indian recruits have joined the camp, the foreigners are slowly reaching their base. However, Sportstar has learnt exclusively that there might be a slight delay in Australia batsman D'Arcy Short's arrival.
READ: D'Arcy Short: 'Can't wait to come to India'
The dynamic southpaw, who was scheduled to reach Jaipur on Sunday, may only join the Royals later next week, making it just in time for the team's campaign opener against the Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 9. Short, the leading run-scorer in this year's Big Bash League (504 from 10 games), was signed by the Royals for Rs. 4 Crore.
Sportstar understands that a passport gaffe has delayed Short's arrival. Highly-placed sources claim that the Australian cricketer had lost his passport and has applied for a fresh one. While Short's close aide in Australia was able to confirm this development, he insisted that the 'passport was not sent in the right way'.
"Instead of sending the passport by air freight, it was sent by road freight. That led to the delay and he could not be in India on time," the close aide told Sportstar .
The aide, however, could not confirm whether Short would be able to make it to India before the tournament.
Having said that, the Royals camp expressed optimism. "Things have got delayed since it's Easter and most of the offices are shut. The Royals team management is working hard to solve the issue," the source said.
Meanwhile, England all-rounder Ben Stokes and Royals' mentor, Shane Warne, will be reaching India on April 5 - two days before the tournament starts.
"Warne will be hosting motivational talk sessions for the boys and will oversee the entire process along with the support staff," the source said.
There is another piece of good news for the Royals. Its top recruit, Jofra Archer, has recovered from his injury and will be joining the camp in a couple of days. South Africa wicketkeeper-batsman Heinrich Klaasen - a replacement for Steve Smith - is also expected to join the team in a day or two.
(With inputs from Ayan Acharya)
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