The Vijay Hazare Trophy and Indian Premier League fixtures are presently being reviewed. The Karnataka State Cricket Association(KSCA) has formally requested permission from the state government to host domestic and franchise cricket at Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. The decision was made months after an 11-person fatal stampede outside the stadium raised concerns about its crowd control and safety measures.
The stadium’s design, crowd flow, and emergency readiness were found to have significant flaws by the Justice Michael D’Cunha Commission after the tragedy, which prompted officials to prohibit the facility from holding significant international competitions. Efforts are now being made to restore cricket to Chinnaswamy under the leadership of President Venkatesh Prasad and the recently elected KSCA government.
The government has received a formal request from KSCA, and Prasad met with Home Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in person. The Home Department will make the final decision, though, as the state cabinet has stated that public safety will come before athletic considerations.
The Home Department has established a high-level, multi-departmental committee led by the Greater Bengaluru Authority Commissioner and the Bengaluru Police Commissioner to determine if the stadium is suitable for hosting games. The group, which includes representatives from the PWD, Fire and Emergency Services, Health Department, and BESCOM, has been entrusted with examining crowd control systems, emergency exits, medical facilities, power supplies, and entry points.
The Home Department’s ultimate decision will be based on the committee’s conclusions. Crucially, the government has said unequivocally that all 17 safety requirements established by the municipal police, which were derived from the suggestions of the D’Cunha Commission, must be fully fulfilled. Wider access and exit gates, distinct ticketing and queuing areas, real-time spectator tracking technologies, enhanced fire safety protocols, and improved evacuation pathways are a few of these.
Virat Kohli will participate in the Vijay Hazare Trophy in Bengaluru.
The KSCA has stated that matches, if permitted, will take place without spectators and has acknowledged the strict deadlines before the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Additionally, the association has performed ceremonies in Chinnaswamy Stadium. In the meantime, hosting IPL matches in 2026 has already received conditional approval, pending confirmation of all safety improvements. IPL games will not be moved from Bengaluru, according to Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar, who called it a matter of pride and pledged that fan safety will not be jeopardised.
Notably, because of security concerns, KSCA is also considering moving some Vijay Hazare matches from Alur to Chinnaswamy.
The organisation is eager to host games with the former India captain at Chinnaswamy, expecting sizable crowds outside locations without spectator amenities, as Delhi is scheduled to play several games in Bengaluru and Virat Kohli has confirmed his availability.
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