Overview:
The presence of star players has been a key factor behind the concerns. Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant are available for Delhi’s first two matches.
Fans may miss out on seeing Virat Kohli in action at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, with the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy match in Bengaluru expected to be played without spectators due to security-related issues.
As per reports, the Karnataka government is likely to direct the Karnataka State Cricket Association to stage the fixtures at the venue behind closed doors. The KSCA had looked into allowing limited public entry by opening two stands, which would have accommodated around 2,000 to 3,000 people, but the plan was reportedly turned down. Authorities are understood to have cited concerns around safety measures, statutory clearances and crowd control, particularly during the busy holiday period.
The presence of star players has been a key factor behind the concerns. Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant are available for Delhi’s first two matches, which led the KSCA to relocate the games from Alur to the Chinnaswamy Stadium to manage logistics more smoothly.
However, the move also triggered apprehension over crowd and security in Bengaluru’s central area. A government-led team later carried out an inspection of the venue, but sources suggest the assessment is unlikely to change the authorities’ cautious stance on allowing fans inside the stadium.
Kohli and Pant touched down in Bengaluru late on Monday and are expected to take part in Delhi’s practice session ahead of their Vijay Hazare Trophy opener against Andhra on December 24. The game will mark Kohli’s return to the Chinnaswamy Stadium after the June 4 stampede, leading to 11 deaths and multiple injuries.
Since then, the venue has seen limited use for high-profile fixtures. The BCCI moved five Women’s World Cup matches, including the final, to alternate locations, and the stadium was also left out of the list of venues for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
After Venkatesh Prasad took over as KSCA president, the focus has shifted toward addressing safety gaps identified in the D’Cunha report, which had raised doubts about the stadium’s readiness for big crowds. While Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has supported restarting matches at Chinnaswamy to revive Bengaluru’s sporting stature, officials remain cautious, meaning fans may have to follow Kohli’s domestic comeback without being present at the ground.