Reports: Bengaluru fans denied Kohli’s Chinnaswamy return as VHT matches to be closed-door

Virat Kohli (Source: Getty Images)

Bengaluru cricket fans will be denied the opportunity to witness veteran batter Virat Kohli’s return to the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium during the Vijay Hazare Trophy on Wednesday, as the Karnataka government is set to direct the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) to conduct matches behind closed doors. The decision comes amid heightened security concerns and ongoing compliance issues at the venue.

In the meantime, the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru has been identified as a backup venue should police permission not be granted for matches at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. Earlier, the KSCA had indicated the possibility of opening two stands to the public, which could have accommodated between 2,000 and 3,000 spectators. However, the proposal faced strong resistance from the state government, which cited safety risks and unresolved infrastructural concerns.

According to a report by ESPNcricinfo, the Karnataka government is keen to avoid potential chaos around the stadium during the holiday season, especially given the presence of high-profile players such as Kohli and Rishabh Pant. Their availability for the opening two matches had earlier prompted the KSCA to shift the venue from Alur to the Chinnaswamy Stadium to ease logistical challenges.

Following a formal request from the KSCA, a government-appointed committee, comprising officials from the police, public works department, and fire safety department, conducted an inspection of the stadium on Monday. While the committee is expected to submit its report on Tuesday, sources suggest that the findings from the home department, headed by G. Parameshwara, are likely to align with prevailing expectations regarding restricted access.

Kohli and Pant arrived in Bengaluru late on Monday night and are scheduled to train with the Delhi squad on Tuesday ahead of their Vijay Hazare Trophy opener against Andhra. The fixture has generated significant interest due to Kohli’s participation in domestic cricket.

Notably, this would have marked Kohli’s first appearance at the Chinnaswamy Stadium since the tragic stampede on June 4 during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s victory celebrations, which resulted in 11 deaths and several injuries. Since the incident, the venue has effectively been off-limits for top-tier cricket, with the BCCI shifting five Women’s World Cup matches, including the final, to alternative venues.

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