The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) is yet to receive police clearance to host the fourth season of the Maharaja Trophy T20 at the iconic M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
With the tournament scheduled between August 11 and 27, the uncertainty over the venue has thrown the cricket calendar and franchise plans into disarray.
The hesitation from Bengaluru Police stems from the ongoing Criminal Investigation Department (CID) probe into the tragic stampede that occurred on July 4, just a day after Royal Challengers Bengaluru lifted their maiden IPL title on July 3. The stampede near the stadium claimed 11 lives and left over 50 injured, prompting a high-level inquiry.
A one-man commission appointed by the Karnataka government had recently termed the Chinnaswamy Stadium "unsafe" for largescale events and advised relocation of major events to more suitable venues. Following this recommendation, KSCA preemptively announced that the upcoming season would be held behind closed doors.
As a contingency, KSCA has begun evaluating alternate venues such as their own grounds in Alur and the Wadeyar Cricket Ground in Mysuru. Alur offers good drainage but lacks floodlights and adequate seating for spectators, while Mysuru’s facilities are still being assessed.
Meanwhile, Alur is already scheduled to host the group stage of the women’s Maharani T20 from August 4. KSCA was hoping to host the final of the women’s tournament at Chinnaswamy, but police clearance has yet to arrive, making that option increasingly unlikely.
The delay in police permission has worried the T20 franchises, which had already arranged logistics assuming central Bengaluru would host all matches. Any last-minute venue shift would imply financial strain and logistical chaos.
More critically, the ongoing deadlock casts a shadow on future international fixtures. The Chinnaswamy Stadium is slated to host multiple high-profile matches in the upcoming ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, including a semifinal and possibly the final. India is scheduled to open its World Cup campaign against Sri Lanka at the venue on September 20. Warm-up games are also planned in the run-up to the tournament.
The BCCI had initially considered hosting the Duleep Trophy final at Chinnaswamy but opted for its Centre of Excellence instead, keeping the Women’s World Cup preparations in mind.
KSCA officials remain tight-lipped as they await a final decision from Bengaluru Police, which could define not only the fate of the Maharaja Trophy but also India’s preparedness for global events in the months ahead.(UNI)
