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As M Chinnaswamy Stadium completes 50 years as an international venue, KSCA honours Karnataka’s greatest cricket icons, Anil Kumble and Rahul Dravid, by dedicating stands in their names.
The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) marked a historic milestone on Friday by honouring two of Indian cricket’s greatest legends, Anil Kumble and Rahul Dravid, by naming stands after them at M Chinnaswamy Stadium. The special ceremony was held as the iconic Bengaluru venue celebrated 50 years as an international cricket ground.
Led by KSCA President Venkatesh Prasad, the association paid tribute to the two stalwarts, recognising their unmatched contributions to Indian cricket and Karnataka’s rich cricketing legacy.
An emotional Anil Kumble said the moment held deep personal meaning for him. Recalling his childhood, he said he first visited the stadium at the age of nine to watch a match and never imagined that one day a pavilion would bear his name. He added that the stadium’s five-decade journey reflects the remarkable rise of Indian cricket and thanked the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for building a strong system that nurtures talent from every part of the country.
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Rahul Dravid described M Chinnaswamy Stadium as his “second home,” stating that he had spent more time at the ground than at his own house. He said the stadium had given him moments of great joy and deep disappointment, both of which shaped his career. Expressing gratitude, Dravid thanked KSCA and the venue for playing a vital role in his life and cricketing journey.
Both legends boast extraordinary careers. Kumble remains India’s highest wicket-taker in Tests (619 wickets) and ODIs (337 wickets), finishing his international career with 953 wickets. Dravid is India’s third-highest run-scorer across formats, behind Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli, with 24,064 runs from 504 matches, including 48 centuries and 145 half-centuries. Both also served as captains of the Indian team during their illustrious careers.
The tribute stands as a lasting symbol of their legacy at a venue that helped shape Indian cricket history.
