RCB to follow CSK's footsteps for IPL 2026
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The defending champions of the IPL 2025 edition, RCB, will not be able to host their games any further at their home stadium at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, after the stadium was ruled unsafe following the stampede incident in the victory celebrations held after RCB's maiden title triumph.
The Royal Challengers Bangalore won the previous season of the IPL, as it was their first win in the history of the IPL. Virat Kohli will be back in India to play another season in the IPL, as it will be his 19th season with the same franchise.
RCB will not be able to host matches at the Chinnaswamy
After the win, Royal Challengers Bangalore were seen celebrating their first title in IPL history with a massive rally that included millions of RCB fans from all corners of India. The crowd was so big that it led the Bangalore fans to stamp on each other in a move.
As a result of this, the Chinnaswamy was ruled out as an operational home ground, and the domestic league matches of tournaments under the KSCA were dissolved. Also, the KSCA ruled the Chinnaswamy Stadium as a possible venue for the ICC Women's ODI World Cup.
Hence, it can be cited that since the IPL games cannot be played in a closed-door situation, Royal Challengers Bangalore have been deprived of their home ground, and it is likely to be shifted to some place outside Karnataka.
Pune to host home matches for Royal Challengers Bangalore
The Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune has been considered the ideal ground and has also offered to host the home matches of the Royal Challengers Bangalore team for the entire season.
The venue previously functioned as the home venue for the Chennai Super Kings, who used it for half of the season back in 2018.
Other possible venues, like Trivandrum and even Vizag, can be considered for the same purpose: to shift the home games out of the State of Karnataka.
Rohit Juglan has further explained that Royal Challengers Bangalore will get the fandom, and the tickets will be sold in any part of the country.
🚨 Pune Proposes Hosting RCB Home Matches Amid M Chinnaswamy Stadium Suspension pic.twitter.com/YXrTTi45yv
— RCBIANS OFFICIAL (@RcbianOfficial) November 12, 2025
Royal Challengers Bangalore to retain their core players ahead of the mini-auction
The Royal Challengers Bangalore will be retaining their core players after winning the previous season. Phil Salt and Virat Kohli are likely to be retained by the Challengers ahead of the mini-auction.
On the other hand, they will also retain the likes of all-rounder Krunal Pandya and the inform batter Tim David, who was seen smacking the ball, and Jitesh Sharma will also be retained as the vice-captain of the side.
They are also likely to retain their bowling core, in Josh Hazlewood; however, the decision over Yash Dayal will be awaited after he was declared guilty under the law. The captain, Rajat Patidar, is also likely to be retained.
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