After the stampede incident, there has been a big trouble for RCB regarding KSCA and M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, which has gone viral on social media. KSCA is further delaying its elections, thereby further delaying RCB’s return to Chinnaswamy.
Royal Challengers Bangalore suffered a major setback after winning their first title in the history of IPL. RCB had celebrated the victory at their home ground M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, but it was overshadowed when an unfortunate stampede occurred due to the overcrowding.
A committee under a judge was formed by the KSCA and the Government of Karnataka, and the committee ruled out the Chinnaswamy Stadium being large enough to participate in such events.
RCB will not get Chinnaswamy back as its home ground before IPL 2026
Just days before the IPL mini-auction, it was reported that Royal Challengers Bangalore may have to play their home matches outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium as the restrictions imposed due to the stampede on the ground have not been lifted yet.
Several options, including the Maharashtra Cricket Association Cricket Stadium in Pune and other stadiums in Thiruvananthapuram, were cited as options to emerge as RCB’s home ground for the next edition of the IPL.
However, as the KSCA board elections have been stalled for months now, KSCA’s upcoming presidential election candidate Venkatesh Prasad has claimed that this will delay RCB’s return to Chinnaswamy.
“We were surprised to hear that the elections were postponed, and they may be held before December 30 or may even be postponed later… We are here for only one reason: to bring cricket back to the Chinnaswamy Stadium.”
Prasad said, “We have also heard that the Bengaluru franchise may play some matches outside Bengaluru. Why should this happen? If we have to bring back those matches, we will have to hold these elections. These have been delayed by more than two months.” Prasad, who appeared frustrated by the delay in the elections scheduled for September 30.
Presidential candidate believes KSCA is violating its own legacy
The Karnataka Cricket Association has always maintained the legacy of leadership from former cricketers, but perhaps for the first time, some non-cricketer candidates have been brought into the scene, and for people like Venkatesh Prasad, it felt a bit disrespectful.
“It is shocking to hear that KSCA, which has always been led by a cricketer… that legacy is in danger. Fielding a non-cricketer against a cricketer… I am not afraid of anyone… The person who is fielding this non-cricketer had once said that cricketers need to lead the association. Now he is going back on his words… Cricket is suffering,” he concluded.
#Watch Bengaluru, Karnataka: Venkatesh Prasad, former India cricketer and presidential candidate in the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) elections, says, “We were surprised to hear that the elections were postponed, and they may be held before December 30… pic.twitter.com/S2tTrfqIIF
– ANI (@ANI) 17 November 2025
Will RCB also go after Venkatesh Iyer in this mini-auction?
On the other hand, the defending IPL champions have not released many players but have left out South African fast bowler Lungi Ngidi as well as their overseas options in Liam Livingstone and Tim Seifert.
Although the Royal Challengers still have players like Jacob Bethel and Romario Shepherd to fill the void in the middle order, their role may not be exactly like that of Livingstone, who was a batsman at number one. 5. So RCB will be looking for his replacement and will also be keen to bring in a more consistent performer at no. 3. From Devdutt Padikkal.
Venkatesh Iyer’s outrageous price was a result of the tussle between RCB and KKR in the last mega-auction; So, it will be interesting to see if RCB is still keen to pick up India’s powerful left-hander, with a significant purse, when entering the mini-auction.
Also read: Before the second test, Gautam Gambhir gave mixed signals to Sai Sudarshan and Devdutt Padikkal.