Chinnaswamy Stadium loses T20 World Cup matches, IPL hosting now under cloud

Despite sustained efforts by KSCA and meetings with top government and police officials, Bengaluru’s iconic Chinnaswamy Stadium has been left out of the T20 World Cup, with doubts now looming over IPL matches as well.

Intensive efforts by the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) to safeguard international and domestic cricket at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium have failed to deliver results, with the venue officially missing out on hosting matches of the upcoming T20 World Cup.

KSCA office-bearers held multiple meetings over the past weeks, including discussions with the Chief Minister, prolonged talks with the Deputy Chief Minister, appeals to the Home Minister, consultations with the Urban Development Minister, and representations to the Police Commissioner. However, these attempts did not change the fate of the stadium.

After taking charge, KSCA president Venkatesh Prasad and his team worked day and night, trying to resolve administrative and safety concerns. Despite this, Chinnaswamy Stadium’s long-standing issues could not be addressed in time.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has decided to conduct the T20 World Cup, starting February 7, across seven venues, five in India and two in Sri Lanka. Notably, Bengaluru has not been allotted even a single match, dealing a major blow to Karnataka, a state known for its massive cricket fan base.

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With World Cup matches ruled out, attention has now shifted to the possibility of hosting practice matches. According to available information, KSCA officials are making a concerted effort to bring World Cup warm-up games to the state. Whether the Venkatesh Prasad-led team will succeed remains uncertain.

Meanwhile, domestic cricket has already taken a hit. Vijay Hazare Trophy matches, Delhi vs Andhra and Delhi vs Gujarat, originally scheduled at Chinnaswamy Stadium, have been shifted out of the city.

These matches are now being hosted at the BCCI Centre of Excellence near Devanahalli. Even the Delhi match scheduled for January 6 will take place at the Centre of Excellence instead of Chinnaswamy.

Concerns are now intensifying over the IPL Season 19, with the tournament schedule expected to be released in the next one or two weeks. Sources indicate that hosting IPL matches at Chinnaswamy Stadium is doubtful. While the Karnataka government granted permission for Vijay Hazare matches, whether similar clearance will be given for the IPL is being widely debated in cricket circles.

Adding to the uncertainty is the report submitted by Justice Michael D’Cunha, which reportedly termed KSCA unfit to host cricket matches. This report has further complicated the prospects of IPL games being staged in Bengaluru.

There are also indications of unease within the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) camp. Franchise sources suggest that RCB owners are not keen on hosting matches at Chinnaswamy Stadium, especially after a case was registered against the team following a stampede incident. The franchise is said to be unhappy over being named in the case and is reportedly reluctant to be associated with the venue.

Even if IPL matches are scheduled at Chinnaswamy, ensuring smooth conduct appears difficult. Implementing the 17 recommendations suggested by Justice Michael D’Cunha before the IPL deadline is seen as a major challenge. Additionally, friction between RCB and KSCA on operational matters during the IPL is considered almost inevitable.

KSCA president Venkatesh Prasad, vice-president Sujith Somasekhar, secretary Santosh Menon, and spokesperson Vinay Mruthyunjaya have been in continuous touch with the government over the past several days. Officials say that if the pending issues are resolved before the IPL, cricket fans in Karnataka may still have some reason to cheer, but for now, uncertainty continues to dominate the future of cricket at Chinnaswamy Stadium.