Bengaluru: The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has received official permission from the State Home Department to resume hosting international cricket and Indian Premier League (IPL) matches at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, which had remained shut following a tragic stampede incident.
The approval has been granted subject to the strict implementation of safety recommendations outlined in the report submitted by Justice Michael D. Cunha, appointed to probe the incident. The government has made it clear that matches may be conducted only after complying with all prescribed safety norms, conditions, and crowd-management protocols.
Confirming the development, KSCA spokesperson Vinay Mrutyunjaya said on Saturday that the association welcomed the Home Department’s decision, calling it a positive step towards the revival of top-level cricket at the iconic Bengaluru venue.
The clearance comes after a government-appointed task force conducted a detailed inspection of the stadium’s security arrangements and submitted its assessment.
The stadium had been barred from hosting major events following the June 4, 2025 stampede, which occurred during a victory parade celebrating Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL title win after 18 years. The incident claimed the lives of 11 cricket fans, prompting police to deny permission for any major matches on safety grounds.
As a result of the ban, several high-profile fixtures — including the Vijay Hazare Trophy final — were shifted to the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Devanahalli. Bengaluru also lost hosting rights for key tournaments such as the Women’s World Cup and upcoming men’s T20 World Cup matches.
With the latest approval, Chinnaswamy Stadium is now set to re-enter the international cricket calendar, subject to continued adherence to enhanced safety measures.
ಇದನ್ನೂ ಓದಿ: ಚಿನ್ನಸ್ವಾಮಿ ಕ್ರೀಡಾಂಗಣದಲ್ಲಿ ಐಪಿಎಲ್ಗೆ ಹಸಿರು ನಿಶಾನೆ: ನಿಷೇಧ ಹಿಂಪಡೆದ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಸರ್ಕಾರ
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