RCB legend Virat Kohli may play other team in IPL 2026

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) win ended an 18-year drought for RCB, making them the 8th team to win the IPL title. For Virat Kohli, who has been with the franchise since its inception, it was a deeply emotional and career-defining moment, finally adding an IPL trophy to his illustrious cabinet. RCB legend Virat Kohli may play other team in IPL 2026.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will indeed not play their home matches in Bengaluru for the IPL 2026 season. This significant development stems from the findings of the Justice John Michael Cunha Commission, which was appointed by the Karnataka government to investigate the tragic stampede that occurred outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on July 4, 2025, during RCB’s IPL 2025 victory celebrations.

The commission’s report has declared the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium “unsuitable and unsafe” for large-scale events. The Karnataka government has accepted the commission’s report and has initiated legal action against RCB, its event partners DNA Entertainment, and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) for their alleged roles in the poorly managed event.

Departmental inquiries have also been launched against several police officers. As a direct result of the stadium being declared unsafe, RCB will be forced to find an alternative “home” venue for the IPL 2026 season. This means that while RCB will still participate in the IPL, their fans in Bengaluru will not be able to watch their home matches at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.

This decision also impacts other major cricket events scheduled at the stadium, including the ICC Women’s ODI Cricket World Cup matches in late 2025, and the Maharaja Trophy T20 League (which the KSCA has decided to hold behind closed doors).

After all these issues some report says that RCB legend Virat Kohli may play other team in IPL 2026. But other report indicate that Virat Kohli is expected to remain with RCB. There is no indication of him leaving the franchise.

He has a strong bond with the team and its fans, and recent reports after RCB’s IPL 2025 victory indicated his deep loyalty, with him even stating his intention to play for the team until his last IPL match. The issue is with the stadium’s suitability, not with the team or its star player.

IPL 2026 will see a significant change for RCB as they will likely be playing their “home” matches at a different venue due to safety concerns at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium following the unfortunate stampede incident. However, fans can still expect to see their beloved players, including Virat Kohli, representing the Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

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