India batting superstar Virat Kohli was expected to play the Vijay Hazare Trophy first-round match for Delhi against Andhra at Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium, but permission to host the game match at the stadium on December 24 has been rejected, according to the city’s Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh on Tuesday.
The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) requested permission to play the game without permitting spectators for the time being. A committee was established by State Home Minister G Parameshwara to investigate granting permission to host cricket matches at the stadium. On Monday, the committee had gone to the stadium.
A stampede outside the Chinnaswamy stadium during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) IPL win celebration on June 4 resulted in 11 deaths, prompting the suspension of matches at the venue.
“There may be some confusion among you (media) whether there is permission to hold a cricket match or not. There is no need for confusion. As you are aware, our committee had gone there yesterday. Based on the committee’s recommendation, permission has been rejected. So there is no match there tomorrow,” Singh told reporters.
“The committee had gone to the stadium yesterday on the instructions of the Home Department….as per the report of the department, permission has not been granted for the match tomorrow. The committee has given a detailed report, but as of now the permission is not there.”
Singh declined to disclose the report’s specifics, citing his membership in the committee.
The group, which was led by the commissioner of the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), included representatives from Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM), the PWD, Fire, and Health departments, as well as the police commissioner.
The Home Minister met with KSCA office bearers, senior officials, and police personnel at the Vidhana Soudha on Monday to discuss hosting cricket matches at the stadium. The panel was asked to inspect the venue and offer input on whether or not the cricket match should be permitted.
Parameshwara stated on Monday that the committee will assess what has been complied with and notify the government, pointing out that the Bengaluru City Police Commissioner has already written a letter to KSCA noting that it is necessary to follow the 17-point recommendations.
In the IPL, the M Chinnaswamy Stadium is more than just RCB’s home — it is Virat Kohli’s cricketing home. From a young franchise player to the face of the team, Kohli has played every season for RCB, forging an emotional bond with the ground and its fans that defines his IPL journey.
Delhi will now launch their VHT campaign at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence behind closed doors.
