Vijay Hazare Match Shifted Out of Chinnaswamy Stadium Over Safety Concerns | Bengaluru Cricket

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In a shocking turn of events, the Karnataka government-appointed committee has denied permission to host a Vijay Hazare Trophy match at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru due to safety concerns. The decision comes after an inspection of the venue on Monday by a committee headed by M Maheshwar Rao, Commissioner of the Greater Bengaluru Authority. The committee, which included officials from the Bengaluru City Police, Fire and Emergency Services Department, Bengaluru Electricity Supply Company, Public Works Department, and the Greater Bengaluru Authority, found that the stadium was not prepared to host a match at this stage. As a result, all Vijay Hazare Trophy matches scheduled at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, including the opener between Delhi and Andhra Pradesh, have been shifted to the BCCI Centre of Excellence. The decision was communicated by the state home ministry, citing security reasons. This is the second time in two weeks that matches featuring Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant have been shifted. The KSCA had earlier moved those fixtures from Alur to the Chinnaswamy Stadium due to logistical and security challenges. The Centre of Excellence has been directed to ensure that all matches across Bengaluru are played behind closed doors. Police officials have assured a strong security presence around the Aerospace Park area, where the Centre of Excellence is located. The decision follows the findings of a committee constituted by Home Minister G Parameshwara, who said that everything will be done as per the recommendations of the committee. The Karnataka State Cricket Association had petitioned the government for permission after the state cabinet earlier this month granted conditional approval to organise cricket matches, subject to compliance with safety recommendations made by the Justice Michael D Cunha Commission. The Vijay Hazare Trophy match at the Chinnaswamy Stadium was planned to be held without spectators on December 24. The KSCA had issued a 17-point advisory outlining mandatory safety measures, which the committee verified during its inspection. The shift marks the latest in a series of safety concerns at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, which have persisted since a stampede during Royal Challengers Bengaluru's victory parade following their first Indian Premier League title on June 4, in which 11 people were killed. The last cricket match at the venue was held in May.