Mumbai Indians' Clear Message To RCB On Venue Hunt For IPL 2026: "Mumbai Can't Be First Option"
RCB are on the hunt for an alternative base amid uncertainty over the availability of their home stadium in Bengaluru.
- MI have informed RCB that they should explore other options before considering Mumbai, according to a report
- RCB are on the hunt for an alternative base amid uncertainty over the availability of their home stadium
- "Mumbai cannot be a convenient first option," the report said
Mumbai Indians (MI) have reportedly denied rejecting a request from Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) regarding the possibility of the defending champions playing their home matches at Navi Mumbai's DY Patil Stadium. RCB are on the hunt for an alternative base amid uncertainty over the availability of their home stadium in Bengaluru. Competitive cricket at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium has been suspended since June last year, following a tragic stampede during RCB's IPL title celebrations that resulted in 11 deaths and numerous injuries.
While the Karnataka government recently granted conditional permission to return to the venue, the franchise remains hesitant and is exploring other venues.
According to a report in Cricbuzz, MI informed RCB that they should explore other options before considering the DY Patil Stadium.
"MI are understood to have indicated that Mumbai cannot be a convenient first option. RCB, it may be mentioned, have made arrangements with the Chhattisgarh State Cricket Sangh to host some matches in Raipur," the report stated.
The report added that MI gave a similar response to the Rajasthan Royals (RR), who are also hunting for an alternate home amid doubts over the readiness of the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.
"It is learnt that MI had a similar response to the Rajasthan Royals management, who had initially contemplated moving to Mumbai and explored the option of using the DY Patil Stadium, engaging with the MI management," it added.
Under IPL governing rules, each franchise has "territorial rights" over its home region.Â
Since the Wankhede Stadium (MI's primary home) and the DY Patil Stadium are both located within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, they fall under the same "catchment area."
As a result, neither RCB nor RR cannot adopt DY Patil Stadium as a temporary venue without a heads up from MI.
The report also claimed that RR are likely to remain in Jaipur, only if all conditions are met.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Mumbai Indians