Virat Kohli’s return to the M Chinnaswamy Stadium has been delayed after Delhi’s Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 matches were shifted to a new venue in Bengaluru. Delhi were initially scheduled to start their Vijay Hazare Trophy campaign against Andhra Pradesh at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, which had not hosted any game after the stampede in June.
According to a ESPNcricinfo report, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) was asked to shift the Delhi vs Andhra Pradesh clash from the Chinnaswamy Stadium to the BCCI’s Center of Excellence due to security reasons.
Notably, Delhi will have Kohli and Rishabh Pant in their playing XI. The Chinnaswamy Stadium, which is home to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in IPL, has been under scrutiny since 3 June, when 11 people, including a minor, died in a stampede during the franchise’s victory parade.
The victory celebrations marked RCB’s maiden IPL-winning campaign. With the stadium deemed unfit for hosting big matches, the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 matches had also been shifted to Navi Mumbai. The report stated that the KSCA had expressed a desire to throw open 2,000-3,000 seats for the public at the Chinnaswamy Stadium for matches involving Kohli and Pant.
However, the proposal was met with strong opposition from the government. It is understood that the Karnataka government wanted to prevent chaos around the Chinnaswamy Stadium during this festive season.
Siddaramaiah says committee ‘will look into the matter’
On Tuesday, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah told the media that the state government will comply with the decisions of a committee set up by the home minister to look into the matter.
“Everything will be done as per the recommendations of the committee. I am not a member of the CWC. They have only called CWC members (to Delhi),” he added. The committee was constituted on Monday by the Karnataka government, comprising officials from the police, public works, and fire safety departments. On Monday, the committee inspected the Chinnaswamy Stadium and submitted a report.
Notably, Delhi’s Vijay Hazare Trophy matches were originally scheduled in Alur before being shifted to the Chinnaswamy Stadium. The report also stated that the state government has assured a strong security presence around the Aerospace Park, where the Center of Excellence is located.
