Overview:
RCB are expected to hold consultations with the state government and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) before presenting its final stance to the IPL Governing Council.
The BCCI has given Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) a deadline of January 27 to confirm their host cities for the IPL 2026, sources have reported.
Despite Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s desire to play at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, new regulations from the Karnataka state government have emerged as a key barrier to their plans.
Sources reveal that RCB have been instructed to handle not just stadium-related logistics but also the management of the road outside M Chinnaswamy Stadium, along with additional compliance requirements, including limitations on DJ use and the establishment of a fire brigade unit in the vicinity.
RCB sources claim that the franchise sees the state government’s request to take on civic and administrative responsibilities as unjust, viewing it as outside the scope of their role and duties.
RCB are expected to hold consultations with the state government and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) before presenting its final stance to the IPL Governing Council.
Earlier, the Karnataka government authorized the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium to host IPL and international matches. According to the KSCA, the approval to resume cricket at the historic ground came only after compliance with specific terms outlined by the government.
The cricketing body also clarified that it had shared an in-depth roadmap with the expert review committee and would ensure the execution of extensive safety, security, and crowd management practices.
Following the tragic stampede in June that claimed 11 lives and injured nearly 50 others during a RCB IPL title celebration, the M Chinnaswamy Stadium hasn’t hosted matches.
About a month later, an independent panel led by Justice John Michael D’Cunha determined that the stadium was unsuitable for large-scale events. The commission’s report issued a strong warning, highlighting the potential dangers to public safety if major gatherings were to resume at the venue.
Lack of elections in RCA becomes a roadblock for RR
Rajasthan Royals continue to face uncertainty regarding their home matches in Jaipur. The unresolved issue of elections in the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) has resurfaced, affecting the franchise’s use of Sawai Mansingh Stadium. This long-standing administrative impasse could now see Jaipur losing its IPL fixtures.