IPL’s return reignites hopes of Bengaluru’s street-side dreamers

When the IPL took a break amid rising India-Pakistan tensions, it wasn’t just the stadiums that went silent — the vibrant street life around M Chinnaswamy Stadium also came to a halt. But on Saturday, even though rain tried to dampen spirits, the buzz returned with the IPL lights, reviving the hopes of countless small-scale vendors and workers who rely on match days to earn their living.

At a bus stop near the stadium, Vijay, a 36-year-old face-painter and loyal Royal Challengers Bengaluru fan, picked up his brush again. Since 2017, he has been turning faces into proud canvases of fandom, charging Rs 40 per design. “It’s not just business — it’s my passion,” he says, though competition from vendors arriving from Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh has made the trade tougher.

Merchandise seller Mallikarjun, 40, wheels his T-shirts, caps, and flags near Cubbon Park Metro, all sourced from Tiruppur. Despite selling fewer items than before, match days still bring him around Rs 4,000-4,500 — enough to keep going.

Food vendors like brothers Ravi Kumar and Veer sell samosas and bottled water, but rainy days hit them hard. Nearby, Lata and Narayan serve simple meals, though footfall is low and losses frequent.

Adding a splash of art, 23-year-old fine arts student Bharat Bhupati entertains fans with caricatures, while mechanical engineer-turned-creator Sushan Shetty sells posters carrying cricket passion, not just souvenirs.

In Bengaluru, it’s these quiet heroes outside the spotlight who make every matchday an innings of survival, hope, and grit.

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