Why BCCI Shifted Virat Kohli’s Vijay Hazare Trophy Matches from Chinnaswamy to CoE

Virat Kohli was to play the first VHT match in M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Instead, he played into the BCCI's Centre of Excellence and registered a statement to everyone on why it is a cakewalk for him to play the 50-over format.

After almost seven months of suspense at M Chinnaswamy Stadium since the unfortunate June 4 stampede, fans in Bengaluru had finally begun to allow themselves a hope to see the matches in Chinnaswamy. The return of Kohli for Delhi in the Vijay Hazare Trophy was deemed an apt manner in which cricket could reclaim the ground. But the opening fixture against Andhra Pradesh was quietly shifted to the BCCI's new Centre of Excellence on the outskirts of the city and played behind closed doors.

Why Virat Kohli’s Vijay Hazare Trophy Match Was Shifted Away from Chinnaswamy

And then Kohli did Kohli things. Chasing 299, he scored 131 runs off 101 balls, he scored 50 coming in 39 deliveries, and his hundred in 83 balls, steering Delhi to 300 for 6 in just 37.4 overs. Ricky Bhui's 122 for Andhra was reduced to a footnote. The only thing missing was a roaring crowd. Also, with the BCCI not live-streaming the game, it only added a bitter taste in the mouths of all the fans across the country.

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Virat Kohli Batter

Virat Kohli (born Nov 5, 1988) is an Indian batting phenomenon, nicknamed "King Kohli," known for record-breaking runs, fitness, and leading India to major titles like the 2011 World Cup, known for his aggressive style, playing for India, Delhi, and RCB in IPL, holding records for ODI centuries (50+), fastest to numerous ODI milestones, winning ICC awards (Cricketer of the Decade), and married to actress Anushka Sharma, a true modern cricket legend.

Now, the reason behind this last-minute change of venues is clear. Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara confirmed on Wednesday that the Board was denied permission to hold their matches at Chinnaswamy Stadium because they had no information about safety and security.

“The moment the team led by Venkatesh Prasad was elected to administer the KSCA, they met the Chief Minister & Deputy CM, seeking permission to conduct cricket matches in the Chinnaswamy stadium. The cabinet, after discussion, assigned me to make a decision,” Parameshwara was quoted by the Indian Express, among other media houses. “I had formed a committee headed by the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) commissioner Maheshwar Rao, with the police commissioner and other officials to go to the stadium and give feedback,” he added.

The committee will check the ground and follow the procedures according to the guidelines of the government. The government is also implementing the recommendations of the Justice John Michael Cunha Commission, whose report had found the design and structure of the ground unsuitable and unsafe for large gatherings, with recommendations on entry/exit gates, queuing areas, emergency evacuation plans, and adequate car parking. Currently, Kohli’s next fixtures of the Vijay Hazare Match include one against Gujarat, and this will be played at the BCCI’s CoE as well. Unfortunately, neither will this be live-streamed by the BCCI.

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