Indian batting stalwart Virat Kohli is set to make a return to domestic cricket, with developments coming at the same time for the former India captain to feature in the Vijay Hazare Trophy at Bengaluru’s
M Chinnaswamy Stadium. The iconic venue has received conditional clearance from the Karnataka government, reopening the door for cricket months after safety concerns forced it off the cricketing calendar.
The M Chinnaswamy Stadium has been under scrutiny since the tragic stampede during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL victory celebrations in June, which resulted in 11 deaths. A judicial inquiry by the Justice John D’Cunha Commission termed the stadium fundamentally unsafe for large events, leading to an impasse that saw Bengaluru lose several fixtures, including Women’s World Cup matches.
However, recently the Karnataka Cabinet has granted in-principle approval for the stadium to host matches again, subject to strict implementation of safety and crowd-management measures recommended by the commission. Newly elected KSCA president Venkatesh Prasad met Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, and senior officials to bring cricket back to the venue.
KSCA is considering allowing 2,000 to 3,000 spectators
The immediate impact of the clearance could be Kohli’s presence at the Chinnaswamy in domestic colours. With security and logistical challenges surrounding Alur, the KSCA is planning to move Delhi’s Vijay Hazare Trophy matches to Bengaluru. Kohli and Rishabh Pant have both been named in Delhi's probable squad and are expected to be available for the first three games of the competition.
Delhi is scheduled to play Andhra and Gujarat at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, potentially seeing the return of the star cricketer to the ground he had made his own in the IPL with RCB. To manage interest around the fixture, the KSCA is also considering allowing 2,000 to 3,000 spectators by opening select stands.
Kohli’s availability follows the BCCI’s directive that centrally contracted players must feature in domestic tournaments when international duties permit. Coming off a Player of the Series performance in India’s ODI series win over South Africa, Kohli is expected to boost Delhi’s batting order. Meanwhile, Pant will be keen for game time after missing out in recent ODI fixtures.
