Stopping tournaments at Chinnaswamy is not the solution; Anil Kumble expresses concern

Former India captain urges authorities to strengthen safety measures and resume cricket at Chinnaswamy Stadium following the deadly stampede that claimed 11 lives

Former Indian cricketer Anil Kumble has expressed strong concern over the suspension of cricket tournaments following the tragic stampede incident, stating that stopping competitions is not the right answer.

Speaking to the media in Bengaluru, Kumble said the focus should be on ensuring that such incidents do not occur again, rather than completely shutting down sporting events. He emphasised that cricket must continue, but only after proper safety arrangements and clear guidelines are put in place.

Referring to the tragedy, Kumble said the incident should never have happened, and acknowledged the deep pain faced by the families of the 11 people who lost their lives. He noted that the emotional loss suffered by the victims’ families cannot be undone.

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Kumble added that everyone wants tournaments to be conducted, and expressed confidence that the team led by KSCA President Venkatesh Prasad would take all necessary steps to ensure matches are organised safely. He pointed out that the government has clearly instructed that cricket can be played only by strictly following all guidelines, and added that implementing these measures would naturally require some time.

Following the stampede case, no international matches have been held at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Not just international fixtures, even domestic tournaments have not been allowed at the venue.

Recently, the Karnataka government refused permission for the Vijay Hazare Trophy matches as well. The decision was taken based on a report submitted by a government-appointed expert committee, which stated that the Chinnaswamy Stadium is not yet fully ready to safely host tournaments.

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Due to this assessment, the state government has continued to deny permission for matches at the stadium, keeping cricket activity on hold at one of India’s most iconic venues.