KSCA seeks State approval as Chinnaswamy Stadium fixtures under review

The Karnataka State Cricket Association has formally approached the state government asking permission to host domestic and franchise cricket at Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, with fixtures for the Vijay Hazare Trophy and the Indian Premier League currently under review. The decision comes months after a tragic stampede outside the venue claimed 11 lives, placing the stadium’s safety and crowd management systems under question.

Following the incident, the Justice Michael D’Cunha Commission flagged serious shortcomings in the stadium’s design, crowd flow, and emergency preparedness, leading authorities to stop the venue from hosting major international tournaments. With a newly elected KSCA administration in place, led by president Venkatesh Prasad, efforts are now underway to get cricket back at Chinnaswamy.

KSCA has submitted a formal request to the government, with Prasad personally meeting Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, and Home Minister Dr G. Parameshwara. However, the state cabinet has left the final call to the Home Department, stating that public safety will take priority over sporting considerations.

To assess whether the stadium is fit to host matches, the Home Department has constituted a high-level, multi-department committee headed by the Greater Bengaluru Authority Commissioner, along with the Bengaluru Police Commissioner. Officials from the PWD, Fire and Emergency Services, Health Department, and BESCOM are part of the panel, which has been tasked with inspecting access points, emergency exits, medical facilities, power supply, and crowd control mechanisms.

The committee’s findings will form the basis of the Home Department’s final decision. Importantly, the government has made it clear that all 17 safety conditions laid down by city police, based on the D’Cunha Commission’s recommendations, must be implemented in full. These include wider entry and exit gates, separate ticketing and queuing zones, real-time spectator tracking systems, improved fire safety measures, and upgraded evacuation routes.

Virat Kohli to play in Bengaluru during Vijay Hazare Trophy

KSCA has accepted the tight timelines ahead of the Vijay Hazare Trophy and has indicated that matches, if approved, will be conducted without spectators. The association has also held rituals at Chinnaswamy Stadium. Meanwhile, conditional approval has already been granted for hosting IPL matches in 2026, subject to verification of all safety upgrades. Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar has stated that IPL games will not be shifted out of Bengaluru, calling it a matter of pride while assuring that spectator safety will not be compromised.

Notably, KSCA is also exploring a shift of select Vijay Hazare matches from Alur to Chinnaswamy due to security concerns. With Delhi slated to play multiple fixtures in Bengaluru and Virat Kohli confirming his availability, the association is keen to host games involving the former India captain at Chinnaswamy, anticipating large gatherings outside venues lacking spectator facilities.