IPL Franchise’s Unusual Training Choices: Home-and-Away or Away-and-Away?
Some Indian Premier League (IPL) teams are ramping up their preparations for the upcoming 2026 season. Shubman Gill has joined his Gujarat Titans teammates after missing the T20 World Cup, while Rajasthan Royals’ Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is also back following his impressive performance in the U-19 World Cup. However, the choice of training venues has raised eyebrows, with several teams opting for locations far from their home bases, including the Punjab Kings’ camp in Abu Dhabi.
Unconventional Training Locations
As the IPL gears up for its 2026 season, teams are making surprising choices for their pre-season training camps. The Delhi Capitals have set up their camp in Hyderabad, while the Kolkata Knight Riders chose Shivaji Park in Mumbai. The Rajasthan Royals are training at their Academy in Talegaon, Nagpur, and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru are stationed at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. In a notable move, the Punjab Kings have opted for the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, raising questions about the lack of suitable facilities closer to home.
This trend of traveling significant distances for training has left fans and analysts puzzled. With many teams unable to find appropriate venues in their own cities or states, it seems counterintuitive. For instance, the Gujarat Titans could have utilized facilities in Baroda or Surat, while the Punjab Kings had options in Mullanpur or Mohali. The Delhi Capitals also had potential venues like the GMR Aerocity Ground or Palam available. Such decisions seem to undermine the connection between the teams and their local fanbases.
Impact on Fan Engagement
The choice of distant training camps poses a risk to fan engagement, which is crucial for the IPL’s growth. By training hundreds of kilometers away, franchises may alienate their supporters. The IPL’s objective should be to foster a strong bond with local fans, but these decisions could hinder that goal. In contrast, fans of leagues like Australia’s Big Bash League are well aware of their teams’ training schedules and often attend practice sessions, creating a sense of community and excitement.
As the IPL approaches its start date in late March, the timing of these training camps raises further concerns. The franchises should be focused on building team culture and connecting with their supporters, rather than distancing themselves from the cities they represent. The lack of a fixed home base for some teams only exacerbates this issue, as seen with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s ongoing search for a suitable venue.
The Home Advantage Debate
The ongoing trend of IPL franchises treating cities as interchangeable locations has sparked a debate about the concept of home advantage. KKR mentor Dwayne Bravo emphasized the importance of fan support, stating that it significantly impacts performance. He noted that the presence of cheering fans can create a home advantage that transcends pitch conditions. Former Indian player Aakash Chopra echoed this sentiment, asserting that home advantage is derived from both the playing surface and the crowd’s support.
If franchises continue to disregard their home cities in favor of distant training camps, the IPL risks becoming a transient spectacle devoid of a true home identity. This could lead to a dilution of the league’s brand and a disconnection from the very fans that support it. As the teams prepare for the upcoming season, it is crucial for them to consider the implications of their training choices on fan engagement and the overall integrity of the league.
Observer Voice is the one stop site for National, International news, Sports, Editor’s Choice, Art/culture contents, Quotes and much more. We also cover historical contents. Historical contents includes World History, Indian History, and what happened today. The website also covers Entertainment across the India and World.
