Virat Kohli's Vijay Hazare Match Shifted from Chinnaswamy Stadium Over Safety Issues
Delhi-Andhra Vijay Hazare match shifted from Chinnaswamy due to security concerns over Virat Kohli's participation.
The Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025 is set to begin on December 24, but a major fixture has undergone a last-minute venue change. The match between Delhi and Andhra Pradesh, which was scheduled to be played at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, will no longer take place at the iconic Bengaluru venue after permission was denied by the state police.
The decision comes amid heightened anticipation around Virat Kohli’s return to domestic cricket after a 15-year gap. Kohli, representing Delhi, was expected to draw massive crowds at Chinnaswamy, prompting authorities to closely assess security and infrastructure preparedness at the stadium ahead of the fixture.
According to officials, a joint inspection was carried out by representatives from the Greater Bengaluru Authority, the Police Department, and the Fire Department. Following the inspection, authorities flagged the need for certain modifications at the stadium. Given Kohli’s presence, officials expressed concern that large crowds could gather outside the venue even without entry, posing security and crowd-management challenges.
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Based on these inputs, the police concluded that hosting the match at Chinnaswamy would not be appropriate under the current circumstances. The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), however, has not yet announced an alternate venue for the Delhi vs Andhra Pradesh match, adding uncertainty for teams and fans alike.
Meanwhile, KSCA grounds in Alur are already hosting three Vijay Hazare matches, with Orissa vs Saurashtra, Gujarat vs Services, and Haryana vs Railways scheduled across different grounds. With venues stretched, finding an immediate alternative remains a challenge for the organisers.
The Vijay Hazare Trophy league stage will run from December 24 to January 8, followed by quarterfinals on January 12 and semifinals on January 15. The final is scheduled to be held in Bengaluru on January 18. Featuring 38 teams divided into four groups, the tournament is particularly significant this year as stars like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and KL Rahul return to domestic cricket ahead of India’s ODI series against New Zealand.
