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Rajasthan Royals look at MCA Stadium Pune as possible new home base for IPL 2026 season

Rajgeeta Yadav

RR are exploring the MCA Stadium in Pune as a home base [Source: AFP]RR are exploring the MCA Stadium in Pune as a home base [Source: AFP]

Rajasthan Royals (RR) may no longer play their home matches in Jaipur next season. According to a report, the team is now in talks with the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) to use the stadium in Pune as their new home base.

Notably, RR have already held initial discussions with MCA officials. These talks come at a tense time, as relations between RR and the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) have soured, as reported by Cricbuzz. 

Recently, an RCA member accused the team of match-fixing. RR strongly denied the allegation and demanded action against the person who made the claim. Since then, the relationship between the two parties has gone downhill, prompting RR to explore other venues.

MCA confirms RR officials visited Pune

An MCA official confirmed that RR representatives visited Pune to learn about the stadium’s seating capacity, pitch conditions, and hotel facilities in the city. The official also mentioned that MCA President Rohit Pawar is very eager to bring IPL matches back to Pune and is pushing hard to make it happen.

Pune’s Gahunje Stadium last hosted IPL games in 2022, when most of the tournament took place only in Pune and Mumbai due to COVID-related restrictions. If things work out, RR hopes to play at least four matches in Pune and the remaining three in Guwahati, their other secondary home ground.

It is also important to note that RR are not the only franchise interested in playing in Pune. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have also shown interest after being banned from using Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium due to a deadly crowd stampede on June 4. However, RCB still hopes that the Karnataka government might reverse the ban before the league begins.

With both RR and RCB willing to host games in Pune, the MCA is currently evaluating the situation and is expected to make a final decision soon. 

Another MCA official told IANS that they are leaning towards accepting RR’s request, while RCB has asked for more time before deciding on their home venue for the 2026 season.

Over the years, Pune’s MCA Stadium has hosted several international matches and has previously served as the home ground for multiple IPL teams.