Rajasthan Royals set to ditch Jaipur as home venue, shortlist new home ground - Reports

Rajasthan Royals management are not happy with the Rajasthan Cricket Association officials over match-fixing accusations.

Rajasthan Royals (RR), the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2008 winners, are seemingly set to change their home ground from Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur for the upcoming IPL 2026 tournament. Reports have stated that RR are not happy with the Rajasthan Cricket Association officials and are mulling a move to Pune.

RR already have Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati as their second home ground, and a move to Pune will be on the lines of them leaving the state they are named after.

Cricbuzz has reported that the management of the RR has started looking into potential new bases, and their search has reached the MCA Stadium in Gahunje, Pune. The MCA and RR officials have already had preliminary conversations.

Recently, a franchise operations team visited Pune to evaluate the stadium, hotel alternatives, airport connectivity, and other logistical aspects. The Royals are pushing to move because of what appear to be problems with the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA).

Rajasthan Royals visit Gahunje Stadium in Pune to check out facilities: MCA official

When an RCA official accused the team of match-fixing last season, the issue worsened. The Royals vehemently refuted the accusation and demanded strict action against the individual.

“Yes, they were here to find out details about the capacity of the stadium, the nature of the pitches, and hotels in the city. Our president, Mr. Rohit Pawar, is very keen that the IPL returns to the city. He is making all possible efforts,” an MCA official told Cricbuzz.

RR will play at least four home games in the city if the Gahunje stadium, which is on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, gets approved. The remaining three games are anticipated to take place in Guwahati.

For the past three seasons, the IPL has not been held in the MCA Stadium. With the exception of the Playoffs, which were held in Kolkata and Ahmedabad, only three locations in Mumbai and Pune hosted IPL games in 2022.

The Royals’ interest coincides with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) management’s alleged attempts to move the team’s home games because the M Chinnaswamy Stadium was declared off-limits to the team after the disastrous stampede on June 4.

“The RCB interest is genuine, but there is no guarantee that they will relocate. Any such move will depend on a host of factors,” said the MCA official, explaining the situation with the defending champions.

RR has already sent a proposal to the IPL for a venue change and has a huge interest in Pune, while RCB has kept the NCA waiting. There are also chances of the Karnataka government changing its stance regarding the Chinnaswamy Stadium hosting matches.

At this stage, the MCA seems inclined towards the RR option but, as the official said, they don’t want to count their chickens before they hatch.

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