JAIPUR: Unhappy with the facilities and arrangements at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, the Jaipur-based IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals are actively exploring alternative venues and appear close to shifting its home base to Pune, at least for the 2026 season. While the Royals’ management has remained tight-lipped, Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) secretary Kamlesh Pisal confirmed to TOI that the franchise has expressed strong interest in hosting the majority of its home games at the MCA Stadium in Gahunje.As reported by TOI on November 12, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) officials had also shown interest in adopting Pune as a temporary home venue due to the ongoing restrictions at Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium. However, there has been no further communication from RCB, whereas the Royals have moved significantly ahead.“The Royals’ officials were here on November 18 and they did the recce. We have shown our willingness to them as well because RCB have not yet confirmed. RCB showed their willingness but the Royals have gone a step ahead by coming to Pune and inspecting the stadium and things around logistics. Now it is with the BCCI to approve the venue. The ball is in the BCCI’s court,” Pisal said.The MCA secretary also indicated that the association with the Royals could extend well beyond a single season.“Not just 2026, we might host them even after that,” he added.During the recently concluded Women’s ODI World Cup, the Royals’ management had also visited Indore’s Holkar Stadium.“Two Royals’ officials came here to have a look at the stadium and they enquired about the stadium capacity and hospitality, but we don’t know exactly what their purpose was. We haven’t heard anything from them after that,” said Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association chief administrative officer Rohit Pandit.Meanwhile, Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) ad-hoc committee convener Deendayal Kumawat remains hopeful that the Royals’ home games will continue to be played in Jaipur. He said he has met franchise vice-president Rajeev Khanna and has also written to IPL COO Hemang Amin, assuring them of “good facilities”.“RCA, in coordination with the state government, will ensure the Royals face no issues related to the ground, security or passes. I have offered to host matches both at the SMS Stadium and Jodhpur’s Barkatullah Khan Stadium,” Kumawat added.
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