It seems there is an inherent irony with Indian domestic cricket as of 2025: among India’s best players have been competing for some of India’s biggest games, but likely none of them will watch them live. Shifting Vijay Hazare Trophy matches in Bengaluru from the historic M Chinnaswamy stadium to the BCCI Centre of Excellence is less about where matches are scheduled and more about the reality that “off the field” has become a major factor of what happens “on the field.”
When Tradition Collides With Accountability
The Chinnaswamy Stadium has been home to World Cup games, historic test moments, and IPL night festivals, which were so vibrant they were more celebrations than sports events. However, in an era of questioning public safety, even traditions are not enough to shield a venue from being deemed “highly unsafe” for large crowds as per the Justice John Michael D’Cunha Report.
I am not making an aesthetic review of this stadium. The current safety inspections for stadiums are about more than just how many people can be seated there; it is also about how crowds move through a space, the time needed to evacuate the premises, controlling the boundaries around a space, and how emergency services will respond to potential emergencies at the site. With respect to this, the decision by the Karnataka government not to give permission to use the stadium after their inspection on Monday represents a change globally in the field of sports governance: as a result of the recent collapse in acceptable risk in sports, one event is sufficient to require closure of a venue.
The CoE Shift Is More Than Logistics
The move to send the matches to the BCCI Centre of Excellence isn’t just an emergency or backup plan; it indicates that how India prioritizes its development in terms of cricket’s infrastructure is changing. The CoE was recently utilized as a venue for the Duleep Trophy and India A fixtures. It is meant for the use of a controlled environment with fewer fans, tighter perimeters around security, and a focus on compliance rather than operational practices.
The subtle switch in venues slightly changes the environment for the cricketers as well. Traditionally, the batting-friendly aspects of the Chinnaswamy ground include its relatively short boundaries and high altitude, which allows for easier carry; whereas the CoE grounds tend to favor disciplined and adaptable teams. Thus, for the likes of Kohli and Pant, who are accustomed to playing with flair, the difference in environment creates another interesting dynamic – will they be able to demonstrate their technical prowess as much or more than they have shown their flair; will they be able to accumulate runs as easily as they do explode on the scoreboard?
A Governance Reset Under New Leadership
The new management at the KSCA under Venkatesh Prasad is clearly on a mission to restore public faith in the organization. The association’s commitment to implement safety recommendations “in a structured and time-bound manner” is unusual for an organization in this type of crisis and tells us that the organization is willing to take steps to rectify its problems.
This is not a case of trying to limit the damage from the recent incidents; it is a complete re-evaluation of how the organization functions. Indian cricket has historically been reactive in response to major crises, but the KSCA does not appear to be reacting to this current set of incidents with the usual defensive posturing. The KSCA is not making excuses based on history or the need to move quickly to resolve issues; instead, the KSCA is committed to implementing recommendations. This represents a step forward.
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