Former India pacer Venkatesh Prasad has confirmed his intention to contest the upcoming Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) elections, likely to be held between October and November. A seasoned coach, selector and administrator, Prasad previously served as KSCA vice-president from 2013 to 2016 during Anil Kumble’s presidency.
Since then, Prasad has kept his distance from cricket administration, focusing instead on his coaching career while also working as a pundit and commentator. The 56-year-old, who served as India’s bowling coach in 2006-07, was also part of the coaching staff of Punjab Kings (formerly Kings XI Punjab).
Vinay Mruthyunjaya, a seasoned administrator, will support Prasad. Mruthyunjaya is a member of the BCCI Finance Committee and a former treasurer of the KSCA.
According to information obtained, Prasad and Mruthyunjaya will reveal their panel’s complete lineup in the days ahead.
September 30 is the last day of the current KSCA regime, which is led by Raghuram Bhatt.
After 11 fans were killed in a stampede at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4 while assembling to celebrate the Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL victory, the current group of officials is under fire.
Following the state cabinet’s approval of criminal proceedings against association leaders, including prominent figures from the RCB and event management company DNA, KSCA secretary Shankar A and treasurer ES Jairam were forced to resign, accepting moral responsibility for the incident.
The Justice D’Cunha Commission, a one-man panel created by the cabinet, has presented its conclusions to the state High Court and the government, and the legal proceedings are now underway.
The positions of KSCA secretary and treasurer are still unfilled, and Mruthyunjaya may return if all goes according to plan.
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly and ex-president of the BCCI, is set to return to administration. He is expected to nominate himself for president in the next Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) elections.
