Cricket is set to remain a part of Bengaluru’s sporting heartbeat but with clear conditions attached. The Karnataka Cabinet has allowed the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) to continue hosting international matches and IPL games at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, provided all safety and security requirements are followed without exception.
This approval comes in the shadow of a tragic incident earlier this year. On June 4, celebrations following Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s first ever IPL title win turned fatal when a stampede outside the stadium claimed 11 lives. A massive crowd had gathered for a victory parade, exposing serious gaps in crowd control and infrastructure readiness.
Following the incident, the state government appointed the Justice John Michael Cunha Commission to investigate what went wrong. The Cabinet has now made it mandatory for KSCA to fully implement the commission’s recommendations before continuing to host high-profile matches. Safety compliance is no longer optional, it is the foundation on which future permissions rest.
In the months after the stampede, the consequences were immediate. The Chinnaswamy Stadium lost several marquee fixtures, including matches scheduled for the 2025 Women’s World Cup, the 2026 men’s T20 World Cup and games from the upcoming Women’s Premier League. The absence of international cricket was a significant blow, not just to the venue but also to the city’s sporting image.
After discussions with the newly elected KSCA President Venkatesh Prasad and other association officials, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar made it clear that the government does not want cricket to disappear from the historic ground. The focus, he said, is on safeguarding Bengaluru’s reputation while ensuring such a tragedy is never repeated. Preventive measures have been put in place and coordination between the cricket association, police and the Home Department will continue to strengthen match-day arrangements.
The decision also carries importance for the IPL. The tournament follows a home-and-away format, meaning each franchise hosts seven league matches. Traditionally, the defending champions often host the final the following season, which further raises the stakes for venue readiness. Any disruption at Chinnaswamy would directly affect scheduling and planning.
Recently, the stadium has slowly resumed activity, hosting lower-profile matches without spectators. This cautious return reflects the authorities’ intent to rebuild confidence step by step.
The IPL 2025 season is scheduled to begin in March or April. With conditional clearance now in place, the Chinnaswamy Stadium moves closer to welcoming crowds again, this time with safety, planning and accountability firmly in focus.
