Bengaluru, Karnataka, India: The Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru is set to stage a cricket match after a hiatus of nearly seven months. The iconic venue will host nine league fixtures in the 2025–26 season of the Vijay Hazare Trophy. The opening game, featuring Andhra against Delhi, is scheduled for December 24 at the historic ground.

Star cricketers Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant will represent Delhi in the tournament. However, supporters eager to watch Kohli return to the Chinnaswamy Stadium were left disappointed, as the Karnataka government has ruled out allowing spectators for Vijay Hazare Trophy matches at the venue.

The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) had suggested permitting around 2,000 to 3,000 spectators for the games. This proposal was turned down by the state administration on security grounds. The decision was taken by the Karnataka government under Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, following a tragic incident in the past.

During the IPL 2025 celebrations, a stampede outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium resulted in the deaths of at least 11 people. In the aftermath of the tragedy, the stadium was temporarily suspended from hosting matches.

More recently, the state government granted approval to resume cricket at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. Initially, the Alur Cricket Stadium in Bengaluru had been designated to host Group D matches of the Indian one-day tournament. However, with high-profile players like Kohli and Pant in action, the Karnataka Cricket Association felt that staging the games at a smaller venue such as Alur could pose security and logistical difficulties. As a result, the Group D fixtures have been shifted from Alur to the Chinnaswamy Stadium.