Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium will finally see cricketing action again, nearly four months after the June 4 stampede tragedy that claimed 11 lives during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL victory celebrations. The venue will host fixtures of the Karnataka State Cricket Association’s (KSCA) K Thimmappiah Memorial Trophy, a red-ball pre-season tournament with 16 participating teams.
Matches Begin September 26
The tournament kicks off on September 26. Chinnaswamy will stage six matches, including a semi-final and the final. For safety reasons, fans will not be allowed inside.
Teams from Mumbai, Vidarbha, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal, and Chhattisgarh will feature in the event. Top Indian players like Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Venkatesh Iyer, Vijay Shankar, and Shashank Singh are expected to take part.
Investigations and Safety Issues
Authorities are still probing the June 4 incident. A one-man tribunal is reviewing the roles of the Karnataka government, state police, and the RCB franchise.
The stadium also ran into trouble with local officials. BESCOM, the electricity board, cut off power after fire safety rules were ignored. As a result, the venue has relied on generators and solar power. These safety lapses also cost Chinnaswamy the chance to host Women’s World Cup games, including the opener, a semi-final, and the November 2 final.
Aftermath and Future Plans
The Maharaja Trophy T20 was moved to Mysore earlier this year after police refused clearance for Bengaluru matches. A state-appointed committee later declared Chinnaswamy “unsafe” for large-scale events.
RCB stepped in with ₹25 lakh financial assistance to families of the victims and promised long-term steps to improve crowd safety. Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar announced plans for a new 60,000-seat stadium as part of a 75-acre sports complex on the city’s outskirts.
Stay updated with the latest Cricket News, Match Predictions, Fantasy Tips, and Live Cricket Action—only on Today Cricket Matches!