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The BCCI’s decision to move Virat Kohli’s Vijay Hazare Trophy matches from Bengaluru’s iconic M Chinnaswamy Stadium to the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) has now been clarified, with security and compliance issues emerging as the decisive factors behind the shift. What was initially expected to be a high-profile comeback for Kohli in front of home crowds instead unfolded quietly behind closed doors on the outskirts of the city.
Virat Kohli’s anticipated return to Chinnaswamy that never happened
Early reports suggested that Kohli would make his return to competitive cricket at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, which was initially listed as the host venue for Delhi’s Vijay Hazare Trophy fixtures.
For Bengaluru fans, this carried emotional significance. After months of uncertainty following the June 4 stampede outside the stadium, Kohli’s return in domestic cricket was seen as a symbolic step toward reclaiming the ground for major matches.
Instead, the opening fixture against Andhra Pradesh was quietly relocated to the BCCI Centre of Excellence, with no spectators allowed.
Government and police deny permission for Chinnaswamy
The primary reason behind the relocation was the Karnataka government and police refusing permission to host matches at Chinnaswamy. Following the fatal June stampede, a government-appointed inspection committee assessed the stadium’s readiness and found serious lapses.
According to media reports, several critical crowd-safety recommendations – including new entry and exit gates, proper queuing zones, evacuation planning, parking management, and pedestrian flow – have not been implemented. With these shortcomings unresolved, authorities deemed the venue unsafe for large gatherings.
Based on this assessment, the Home Ministry denied approval for Vijay Hazare Trophy matches at Chinnaswamy, especially with crowd-pullers like Kohli and Rishabh Pant expected to attract massive festive-season attendance.
Why the BCCI chose the Centre of Excellence?
With Chinnaswamy ruled out, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) was instructed to shift all Bengaluru-based Vijay Hazare fixtures to the Centre of Excellence near Aerospace Park. The CoE has recently hosted Duleep Trophy and India A matches without spectators, making it a proven low-risk option.
Authorities felt the CoE offered tighter security control, limited access points, and a safer short-term solution while Chinnaswamy undergoes structural upgrades and compliance checks.
Kohli delivers masterclass at CoE despite empty stands
While the crowd was missing, the cricket was not. Kohli walked into the CoE and reminded everyone why the 50-over format remains his comfort zone.
Chasing 299, he smashed a commanding 131 off 101 balls, bringing up his fifty in just 39 deliveries and his hundred in 83 balls.
𝐕𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐭 𝐊𝐨𝐡𝐥𝐢 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 😎
1️⃣3️⃣1️⃣ runs
1️⃣0️⃣1️⃣ balls
1️⃣4️⃣ fours
3️⃣ sixesA terrific knock from Virat Kohli as he guided Delhi to a 4️⃣-wicket victory against Andhra 👏
He also completed 1️⃣6️⃣0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ runs in Men’s List A cricket 🫡 | |…
— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic)
Delhi cruised to 300/6 in 37.4 overs, rendering Ricky Bhui’s 122 for Andhra Pradesh a mere footnote.
The only thing absent from the performance was the roar of a packed stadium.
