Legends Immortalised
Bengaluru's M. Chinnaswamy Stadium has marked a significant milestone – 50 years as a Test cricket venue – by bestowing lasting honours upon cricketing
stalwarts. The Karnataka State Cricket Association has officially renamed two prominent sections of the stadium in recognition of the immense contributions made by Anil Kumble and Rahul Dravid. Specifically, the Pavilion End has been transformed into the Anil Kumble End, while the Northern End now proudly bears the name Rahul Dravid End. This tribute took place on February 13th as part of the festivities commemorating half a century of Test matches played at this historic ground. The event also shone a light on the remarkable career of Shantha Rangaswamy, a true pioneer of women's cricket in India, who was honoured with a stand named in her honour. Rangaswamy etched her name in history by becoming the very first Indian woman to achieve a Test century, scoring an impressive 108 runs against New Zealand in Dunedin back in 1977, a feat that continues to inspire generations.
Reflections and Recognition
Anil Kumble, renowned as India's leading wicket-taker in both Test (619 wickets) and One Day International (337 wickets) formats, shared his heartfelt perspective on this distinguished honour. In a statement released to the media, Kumble articulated that the collective efforts of all players have shaped Karnataka cricket into what it is today, acknowledging that Karnataka cricket has, in turn, been instrumental in forging the careers of its cricketers. He emphasized that the true significance lies not in whose name adorns which stand, but rather in the profound recognition of everyone's contributions, which are now permanently imprinted within the stadium's history. Similarly, Rahul Dravid, affectionately known as 'The Wall' for his defensive mastery and second only to Sachin Tendulkar among Indian batsmen with 13,288 Test runs, was equally celebrated. The former captain, whose illustrious Test career spanned from 1996 to 2012, playing an incredible 164 matches, received this honour as part of the stadium's ongoing golden jubilee celebrations.
Beyond the Icons
The honouring of cricketing greats extended beyond the male legends, with a significant acknowledgement of women's cricket pioneer Shantha Rangaswamy. A stand has been dedicated in her name, a move that corrected an earlier oversight which had drawn criticism for not initially including her despite her foundational role in Indian women's cricket. Rangaswamy, who captained India in 16 of her 19 ODIs and led the national team to its inaugural Test victory against the West Indies in 1976, has finally received due recognition for her groundbreaking career. The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) President, Venkatesh Prasad, underscored the dual nature of these namings, describing them as both a tribute and a responsibility, highlighting the stadium's enduring status as a testament to Karnataka's contributions to cricket. Further demonstrating a commitment to women's cricket, the KSCA announced the upcoming implementation of a gratis scheme for retired women cricketers, set to commence from April 1, 2026, signalling a broader institutional embrace of women's cricket. This significant occasion coincides with the stadium's preparations to host both Indian Premier League and international matches again in 2026, following an eight-month refurbishment period, with the IPL season opener potentially scheduled for Bengaluru.
