NEW DELHI: Fans are unlikely to get the chance to watch Virat Kohli’s return to the Vijay Hazare Trophy at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Wednesday, with the Karnataka government set to stage the match behind closed doors owing to security concerns.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Delhi’s Elite Group D opener against Andhra Pradesh was moved from Alur to the Chinnaswamy Stadium after Kohli and Rishabh Pant confirmed their availability for the first two matches of the tournament. However, as per ESPNcricinfo report, despite the venue change, spectators are now expected to be barred from entry. The BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru is being considered as a backup venue if police permission for the Chinnaswamy is not granted, according to the report.
The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) had initially explored the option of opening two stands to the public, which could have accommodated around 2,000 to 3,000 spectators. That proposal, however, was rejected by the state government, which cited potential security and compliance issues. The report further stated that the government is keen to avoid crowd-related chaos around the stadium during the holiday season, particularly given the stature of players involved.Following a formal request from the KSCA, the Karnataka government constituted a committee comprising officials from the police, public works and fire safety departments. The committee inspected the Chinnaswamy Stadium on Monday and is expected to submit its report on Tuesday. The findings are likely to reinforce the decision to hold the match behind closed doors.
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The cautious approach stems from the tragic stampede during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL victory celebrations in June, which resulted in 11 deaths and several injuries. Kohli, Pant, Ishant Sharma and Navdeep Saini are all part of Delhi’s squad for the 2025–26 Vijay Hazare Trophy, with Pant appointed captain. Kohli and Pant arrived in Bengaluru late on Monday and are expected to train with the team on Tuesday.
