The Rajasthan Royals may relocate to a new home base for the upcoming IPL season, though nothing has been finalized. While the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will have the final approval, the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) must first confirm its readiness to host the franchise.

According to sources, the Royals have begun exploring options in Pune, with the MCA Stadium in Gahunje emerging as a potential venue. The franchise’s operations team recently visited the city to assess stadium facilities, hotel options, airport connectivity, and other logistics. The possible shift comes amid reported issues with the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA), which escalated last season when an RCA official accused the team of match-fixing—allegations the Royals denied, demanding action against the individual.

If approved, the Royals are expected to play at least four home games at Gahunje, with the remaining three matches likely to be staged in Guwahati. An MCA official stated, “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 and is making all possible efforts.”

The MCA Stadium last hosted IPL matches in 2022 when the tournament was held across Mumbai and Pune, with playoffs in Kolkata and Ahmedabad.

Status of RCB Approach

The Royals’ potential move comes amid reports that Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have also explored staging their home games elsewhere, following the tragic stampede at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4. The MCA is reportedly evaluating both options. “The RCB interest is genuine, but any relocation will depend on a host of factors,” an MCA official said.

The MCA faces a decision between approving the Royals’ proposal, which has already been formally submitted via email, or waiting on RCB. The Karnataka government, which has previously denied permission for matches at Chinnaswamy, could reconsider ahead of the IPL. While RCB seeks time until the IPL auction next month, the Royals appear ready to finalize an agreement.

For now, the MCA seems inclined toward hosting the Royals, but as the official noted, “we don’t want to count our chickens before they hatch.” The Rajasthan Royals have not yet provided an official comment.