RCB Apprehensive Over Playing At Chinnaswamy Over New Rule

BENGALURU: A franchise cricket team Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) apprehensive over Karnataka government new rule to hold event organizer responsible if any accident happens even it is outside the stadium such as approach roads, parking areas and nearby roads during cricket matches hosted at Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru city as part of Indian Premier League (IPL)-2026.

Meanwhile, the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) set a deadline of January 27 for RCB to confirm playing at Chinnaswamy stadium in IPL-26.

However, the new rule from Karnataka government came over the stampede incident June 4 last year which killed 11 persons and injured as many as 70 when a huge crowd gathering around the stadium stormed to the stadium where a felicitation programme was organized for RCB players over their win in IPL-25 finals. Over the stampede, police registered a case against RCB management, KSCA and event management company-DNA Entertainment.

Over deadline to RCB, Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) are the operators of M. Chinnaswamy stadium and its president Venkatesh Prasad addressing a press conference in Bengaluru on Wednesday stated “RCB management discussed with KSCA week back and nothing has come out clear so far.”

Prasad said “The onus is on RCB management to engage in dialogue with the State Government to resolve any issues” and expressed confidence the Chinnaswamy stadium will be fully ready, fully compliant with safety measures prescribed by the Experts Committee of the State Government and safe to host international and IPL matches.”

KSCA secretary Santosh Menon said “RCB is eager to play matches at the Chinnaswamy stadium and the franchise cricket team probably has issues with the State Government and not with KSCA.” Menon said “Hopefully, they will be able to resolve issues, if any, with the State Government.”