In a major development, Indian batting stalwart Virat Kohli might play Delhi's Vijay Hazare Trophy fixtures at his IPL home ground – M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
While the Delhi District Cricket Association (DDCA) has confirmed Kohli's participation in the domestic one-day tournament, the Chinnaswamy stadium has received Karnataka government's clearance to stage competitive matches for the first time after the stampede tragedy following RCB’s maiden IPL title win earlier this year.
The approval comes shortly after former India pacer Venkatesh Prasad took over as president of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA).
“The decks have been cleared for the M Chinnaswamy Stadium to be back on the BCCI's radar after newly-elected KSCA chief Venkatesh Prasad has received a go-ahead from the Karnataka government to host matches. The BCCI is believed to have been apprised of the recent developments too,” ESPNCricinfo reported.
“The immediate implications are that Virat Kohli could be back playing at the Chinnaswamy, with the KSCA set to move Vijay Hazare Trophy matches involving Delhi from Alur owing to security and logistical challenges,” the report added.
11 people had lost their lives while attending RCB's maiden IPL title win celebrations outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium. As a result, the venue faced scrutiny over security arrangements, with a long-term ban looming over it.
During the meeting with the Karnataka government officials, the Prasad-led KSCA committee reiterated their commitment to address safety, security and crowd-management concerns by implementing as many changes as feasible from the Justice John D'Cunha report on the Chinnaswamy Stadium.
"We're on track for the IPL to be back," ESPNcricinfo quoted a KSCA official as saying.
"To avoid any future incidents, we have put in place precautionary measures. We have granted permission accordingly. The Home Minister will hold discussions with the KSCA president and police officials," Karnataka’s deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar said after the state's cabinet meeting on Friday.
"We have no intention of stopping cricket matches. But crowd-management measures need to be examined," Shivakumar added. "We also intend to implement the recommendations of the Justice Michael D'Cunha Committee in a phased manner. Venkatesh Prasad too has agreed to this."
(With ESPNcricinfo Inputs)
