As IPL 2026 looms, former India opener Abhinav Mukund has issued a stark warning to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB): Their home advantage at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium might be more myth than reality in the early stages. The reigning champions face a gauntlet of tough opponents right at their Bengaluru doorstep.
The root of the concern? A near nine-month cricket drought at Chinnaswamy, triggered by the unruly celebrations after RCB’s IPL 2025 victory that spiraled into chaos. Mukund fears this hiatus will render the conditions unpredictable for the home side.
On Jio Hotstar, he dissected the scenario: “Chinnaswamy isn’t RCB’s happy hunting ground historically. With no play for 8-9 months, they must adapt swiftly—faster than any other team—to avoid early pitfalls. It’s a real test of their preparedness.”
The calendar doesn’t ease up: SRH arrives for the March 28 opener, followed by CSK on April 4. Last year, RCB’s home record was their kryptonite—two wins, three losses, and one washout in seven matches—contrasting sharply with stronger away showings.
RCB’s ledger at Chinnaswamy reads 46-47 in 96 IPL matches, with four inconclusives. Mukund is optimistic they’ve begun countermeasures, but overcoming these initial home battles will be crucial for sustaining their championship momentum into 2026.