Following the unfortunate stampede at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Wednesday, concerns are growing over the Karnataka State Cricket Association’s (KSCA) administrative preparedness. The incident appears to have had a ripple effect on upcoming cricket events in the city.
The first change comes with the relocation of the three-match One-Day series between India ‘A’ and South Africa ‘A’, originally scheduled in Bengaluru from November 13 to 19. The BCCI has officially moved these matches to Rajkot, without disclosing a specific reason. KSCA officials, however, stated that the decision to change venues is unrelated to the stampede.
Despite this clarification, sources suggest that the decision was communicated to KSCA shortly after the incident, sparking speculation about its broader impact. The red-ball matches between the same teams will go ahead as planned at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence near the Bengaluru airport.
There is now uncertainty surrounding the ICC Women’s World Cup matches scheduled in Bengaluru between September and November. Chinnaswamy Stadium was set to host key fixtures, including India’s opener, a semifinal, and possibly the final, depending on team qualifications. If Pakistan qualifies, the final may be moved to Colombo.
The stadium reportedly sustained structural damage during the recent crowd surge, raising safety concerns. Renovation work is likely needed before any major events return.
Former cricketer Shantha Rangaswamy expressed sadness over the developments, calling it a significant setback for cricket in Karnataka, especially for the women’s game, which has seen limited growth in recent years.
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