Virat Kohli’s Chinnaswamy Return Delayed as Matches Shift Out of City Centre

Cricket fans in Bengaluru will have to wait a little longer to see Virat Kohli back at the iconic M Chinnaswamy Stadium. The much-anticipated return of the former India captain to his home ground has been postponed after the Bengaluru city police denied permission to host seven Vijay Hazare Trophy Group D matches at the venue.

The decision was taken amid heightened concerns over crowd management and safety, especially in the aftermath of the tragic stampede earlier this year during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL victory celebrations, which claimed 11 lives. Since then, authorities have been extremely cautious about large gatherings around the stadium, located in the heart of the city.

Why the Venue Was Changed

Just last week, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) had reshuffled venues to move Delhi’s matches—against Andhra on December 24 and Gujarat on December 26—from the KSCA Alur Stadium to the Chinnaswamy Stadium. These matches were expected to draw significant attention as they featured Virat Kohli, making his return even more special for local fans.

However, following an inspection of the stadium on Monday by a high-level committee—including the city police commissioner and officials from the public works, fire, emergency services, and health departments—the plan was reconsidered. The committee submitted its findings to Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) commissioner Maheshwar Rao, who heads the panel overseeing the matter.

The inspection was part of the ongoing process to implement the recommendations of the Justice Michael Cunha Commission, which had proposed 17 safety-related measures after the June 4 incident. While discussions with KSCA officials, led by president and former India pacer Venkatesh Prasad, were still underway, the association quietly prepared a backup plan.

Matches Moved to BCCI Centre of Excellence

With approval for Chinnaswamy not forthcoming, the seven matches were swiftly shifted to the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) on the outskirts of Bengaluru. Since no other fixtures were scheduled at the facility’s grounds, the transition was carried out immediately, and teams were informed of the change.

A police official explained the caution behind the decision, saying the department was keen to avoid any repeat of past events. “We do not want to face a similar situation again. If something goes wrong, fingers will be pointed at us regardless of where the fault lies,” the official said.

In a statement, KSCA acknowledged the decision, saying it respected the recommendations of the review committee and thanked the Karnataka government for considering the request at the cabinet level.

Closed-Door Matches, Quiet Preparations

The shift to the CoE means that all matches will be played behind closed doors, as there is no provision for spectators at the facility. While this comes as a disappointment to fans hoping to catch a glimpse of Kohli in action, teams have begun making hurried logistical arrangements at the new venue.

Virat Kohli and wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant joined the Delhi squad for net practice on Tuesday. The duo trained for around an hour alongside teammates Ishant Sharma and Navdeep Saini. Kohli spent quality time in the nets, fine-tuning his batting, and also interacted with teammates during the session.

Interestingly, this marks Kohli’s first visit to the revamped Centre of Excellence, which was earlier housed within the Chinnaswamy Stadium complex but moved to its current sprawling campus over a year ago. The facility now serves as the hub for India’s fitness, rehabilitation, and high-performance programs.

Important Match Time Ahead of New Zealand Series

With India set to play 21 ODIs in the lead-up to the 2027 World Cup, the Vijay Hazare Trophy matches—mandated by the BCCI—are seen as crucial preparation. For Kohli, these games offer valuable match practice ahead of the three-match ODI series against New Zealand, starting January 11.

The timing couldn’t be better for the veteran batter, who comes into the tournament on the back of an outstanding home series against South Africa earlier this month. Kohli amassed 302 runs in three matches, including two centuries, underlining his continued hunger and form.

Fans Still Waiting for a Homecoming

While the delay may be disappointing for Bengaluru’s cricket lovers, safety considerations have clearly taken precedence. Kohli’s return to Chinnaswamy will happen—but for now, patience is the only option.

Until then, the focus shifts to the quiet grounds of the Centre of Excellence, where India’s biggest star continues his preparations away from the roar of packed stands, doing what he has always done best—letting his bat do the talking.