Decision on IPL matches at Chinnaswamy stadium after discussing it in Cabinet meet: Karnataka Dy CM Shivakumar
Speaking to reporters after meeting the newly elected President of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) Venkatesh Prasad at the Circuit House, Shivakumar said, “We have no intention of stopping cricket matches at (M)Chinnaswamy stadium, but we have to think about crowd control measures. We will also have to incorporate the recommendations of the Michael D Cunha committee in a phased manner. Venkatesh Prasad has also agreed to this. Our government is committed to cricket and cricket fans without bringing disrepute to the state.”
“The newly elected President of KSCA and his team met us today to seek the cooperation of the government. We will not allow any matches, including IPL matches, to be shifted out of Bengaluru. We will have to work together on this issue. Our government has also come forward to build new stadiums. My best wishes to Venkatesh Prasad and his team, supported by Javagal Srinath and Anil Kumble,” he added.
Earlier, Prasad termed the meeting with the CM of Karnataka and the DyCM as “extremely positive” and “productive” and said that they will discuss in the cabinet and assembly to bring back international cricket and IPL to the iconic Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Chinnaswamy Stadium has not hosted any major matches since a stampede during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) IPL victory celebration on June 4, which left 11 dead. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) also prefers to host the Duleep Cup and ‘A’ series between India and South Africa at the Center of Excellence.
The M Chinnaswamy Stadium is scheduled to host five ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 matches, including the final. However, the games had to be abolished because the KSCA, who resigned on moral grounds after the stampede, operated without a treasurer and secretary.
