Following instructions from the state Home Ministry, the much-awaited Vijay Hazare trophy between Andhra Pradesh and Delhi has been shifted to the BCCI Centre of Excellence ground. The fans who were passionate about watching Virat Kohli after a long time in domestic cricket, and also Rishabh Pant, are extremely frustrated. The match, as revealed by Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) will be played behind closed doors, away from the city centre, preventing the fans from gathering at the venue in huge numbers.
The reason behind the decision has been cited as security reasons. It is believed that the state home ministry has taken such a decision, anticipating a massive turnout to see Virat Kohli and Rishabh, who are expected to feature for Delhi in some of the matches. The KSCA scheduled the matches at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium last week to better manage the logistics and security of such high-profile athletes. On Tuesday, the state government intervened, citing unresolved safety concerns at the stadium.
The decision is rooted in a cautious stance taken by the state government following the tragic stampede in June 2025 during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL victory celebrations, which resulted in 11 fatalities, while many others were left injured.
The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) had initially considered opening two stands to the public, which could’ve accommodated 2,000-3,000 spectators. However, the government shot down the proposal, citing security concerns and compliance issues.
Star cricketers Kohli, Pant, Ishant Sharma and Navdeep Saini will be part of the Delhi Senior Men’s team in the Vijay Hazare Trophy for the 2025-26 domestic season, with all four confirming their availability for the tournament.
