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JAIPUR: Unhappy with the facilities and arrangements at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, the Jaipur-based IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals<\/a> are actively exploring alternative venues and appear close to shifting its home base to Pune, at least for the 2026 season. While the Royals\u2019 management has remained tight-lipped, Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) secretary Kamlesh Pisal confirmed to TOI that the franchise has expressed strong interest in hosting the majority of its home games at the MCA Stadium in Gahunje.As reported by TOI on November 12, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) officials had also shown interest in adopting Pune as a temporary home venue due to the ongoing restrictions at Bengaluru\u2019s Chinnaswamy Stadium. However, there has been no further communication from RCB, whereas the Royals have moved significantly ahead.\u201cThe Royals\u2019 officials were here on November 18 and they did the recce. We have shown our willingness to them as well because RCB have not yet confirmed. RCB showed their willingness but the Royals have gone a step ahead by coming to Pune and inspecting the stadium and things around logistics. Now it is with the BCCI to approve the venue. The ball is in the BCCI\u2019s court,\u201d Pisal said.The MCA secretary also indicated that the association with the Royals could extend well beyond a single season.\u201cNot just 2026, we might host them even after that,\u201d he added.During the recently concluded Women\u2019s ODI World Cup, the Royals\u2019 management had also visited Indore\u2019s Holkar Stadium.\u201cTwo Royals\u2019 officials came here to have a look at the stadium and they enquired about the stadium capacity and hospitality, but we don\u2019t know exactly what their purpose was. We haven\u2019t heard anything from them after that,\u201d said Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association chief administrative officer Rohit Pandit.Meanwhile, Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) ad-hoc committee convener Deendayal Kumawat remains hopeful that the Royals\u2019 home games will continue to be played in Jaipur. He said he has met franchise vice-president Rajeev Khanna and has also written to IPL COO Hemang Amin, assuring them of \u201cgood facilities\u201d.\u201cRCA, in coordination with the state government, will ensure the Royals face no issues related to the ground, security or passes. I have offered to host matches both at the SMS Stadium and Jodhpur\u2019s Barkatullah Khan Stadium,\u201d Kumawat added.<\/div>\n