Overview
- The Maharashtra Cricket Association said Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Rajasthan Royals inspected the Gahunje stadium in late December and showed interest in using it.
- MCA expressed confidence that the venue will be cleared for one team's fixtures, noting that BCCI approval, government permissions and security clearances are still required.
- Reports indicate Rajasthan Royals are the likelier candidate to relocate to Pune, while RCB's use of M Chinnaswamy Stadium hinges on completing safety upgrades and receiving state clearance.
- The Rajasthan Cricket Association wrote to the BCCI opposing a Royals shift, asserting Sawai Mansingh Stadium is safe and calling for any assessments to follow statutory procedures.
- Pune's MCA International Stadium has recent big-match experience, including an India–England T20I in January 2025, reinforcing its readiness to host IPL games.