New Delhi

All Vijay Hazare Trophy fixtures scheduled at Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium have been moved to the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) following a directive from the Karnataka government citing safety issues. The decision means fans will not be allowed to attend, with matches set to take place behind closed doors.

A DDCA official confirmed the relocation, stating that both teams for the opening game had been notified. Delhi’s squad, preparing to face Andhra Pradesh, will now hold their practice sessions at the CoE. Bengaluru police have assured strong security arrangements around the Aerospace Park, where the CoE is located.

The move comes after Karnataka Police refused permission for the Delhi-Andhra clash at Chinnaswamy, pointing to serious crowd-control and safety concerns. A committee comprising police, public works, and fire safety officials inspected the stadium earlier this week and identified critical gaps in infrastructure and emergency preparedness.

Bengaluru City Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar explained that the inspection followed a 17-point safety advisory issued by the Home Department. The committee’s findings confirmed non-compliance with several mandatory measures, leading to the denial of permission.

The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) had earlier expressed confidence in hosting matches featuring star players Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant at Chinnaswamy. However, the government’s decision has forced a shift, ensuring the tournament continues under tighter security at the CoE.