Vijay Hazare Trophy Matches Relocated to BCCI Centre of Excellence
Vijay Hazare Trophy Matches Shifted
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], December 23: The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has announced that all matches for the Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) will now take place at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, NCA, instead of the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. This decision follows a directive from the police, indicating that the stadium is currently not suitable for hosting matches due to recommendations from the Review Committee.
In their official statement, KSCA noted, "The Karnataka State Cricket Association has been informed by police authorities that, based on the Review Committee's recommendations, permission to hold Vijay Hazare Trophy matches at M Chinnaswamy Stadium is not currently granted."
The stadium was previously labeled as "unfit for large-scale events" by the Justice John Michael D'Cunha Commission after a stampede occurred during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) IPL victory celebrations earlier this year.
Importantly, Bengaluru is set to host matches featuring Indian cricket star Virat Kohli, who is making a return to the competition after a 15-year hiatus.
KSCA expressed gratitude towards the Government of Karnataka, especially the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, and Home Minister, for their support and engagement regarding the situation. They acknowledged that the decision on permissions is tied to the implementation of the Justice Cunha Committee's recommendations.
The association mentioned that communications from police since August 2025, under the previous KSCA management, regarding the implementation of the committee's recommendations, did not receive adequate follow-up.
In contrast, the newly elected KSCA Managing Committee, led by former international cricketer Venkatesh Prasad, has been proactive since taking office on December 8, 2025, engaging promptly with relevant government departments and authorities.
The current committee has actively sought guidance and approvals necessary for match conduct and has taken steps to align KSCA's actions with the authorities' expectations. KSCA expressed appreciation to Home Minister Dr. G Parameshwara for facilitating a joint meeting between the Home Department and KSCA officials, which allowed various agencies to inspect the stadium and provide reports for informed decision-making.
KSCA values the government's constructive approach and appreciates the cooperation of the Home Department, police, and other statutory agencies throughout this process. The association looks forward to receiving detailed inputs and recommendations from the Review Committee and assures that all recommendations will be implemented in a timely manner.
KSCA remains fully committed to implementing all necessary safety, security, and infrastructure measures as soon as possible.
With this proactive stance and adherence to recommended measures, KSCA is optimistic that the required permissions for hosting Vijay Hazare Trophy matches at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium will be granted soon. In the meantime, the matches will be held at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, NCA. KSCA extends its thanks to the Home Minister and the Karnataka Police Department for their ongoing support and guidance.