Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) may not get the home support they are used to in the next Indian Premier League (IPL) season. The reigning champions’ home venue, M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, is undergoing a suspension following the unfortunate stampede outside it on June 4 during RCB’s victory parade which claimed 11 lives and left umpteen injured.
As a substitute, RCB may end up playing all their home matches at Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium in Gahunje.
“This arrangement (Pune hosting RCB’s matches) is in discussion but it’s not confirmed yet. They have a problem in Karnataka, because of the stampede that happened. So, they are looking out for a venue and we have offered them our stadium. There are preliminary discussions and there are a couple of technical things which need to be sorted out. If things fall in place then, probably yes, Pune will host the matches,” MCA secretary Kamlesh Pisal told TOI.
RCB to get new owners
Meanwhile, RCB's men and women team has been put up for sale. The owner of the franchise, Diageo has already initiated the process which is expected to be completed by March 31, 2026.
“USL is initiating a strategic review of the investment in its wholly owned subsidiary, RCSPL. RCSPL's business comprises ownership of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) franchise teams that participate in the men's Indian Premier League (IPL) and Women's Premier League (WPL) cricket tournaments hosted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) annually," the UK-based company had said in its disclosure.
No reports of player trade or players who will be released
While RCB are set to get new owners, there are no reports of any trade or players RCB would like to released ahead of the mini-auction. RCB struck the balance they had been looking for several years. They did not go for big names but utility players, strengthened their bowling attack which helped win the trophy and end the long-running drought.