Bengaluru
Fans in Bengaluru will miss out on watching Virat Kohli live at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, as the Karnataka government has decided to hold Wednesday’s Vijay Hazare Trophy match against Andhra Pradesh behind closed doors. The move comes after security concerns were raised, with officials unwilling to risk crowd trouble during the holiday season.
The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) had earlier suggested opening two stands to allow 2,000–3,000 spectators, but the proposal was rejected. Authorities cited compliance and safety issues, especially after the tragic stampede during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL victory celebrations earlier this year, which killed 11 people. Following that incident, the stadium was declared unfit for large-scale events by a government-appointed commission.
A committee of police, public works, and fire safety officials inspected the stadium on Monday and is expected to confirm the decision in a formal report. If police permission is not granted, the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence is being considered as an alternative venue.
The KSCA had already shifted the fixture from Alur to Chinnaswamy to accommodate star players like Kohli and Rishabh Pant, whose presence was expected to draw large crowds. Pant, returning to captaincy, will lead Delhi in the domestic season alongside Kohli, Ishant Sharma, and Navdeep Saini.
While fans will be disappointed, the focus remains on ensuring safety as Delhi’s star-studded lineup begins its Vijay Hazare campaign under strict security measures.
