Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium may lose its Women’s World Cup matches after the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) missed the August 10 deadline to secure police clearance, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said, according to ESPNcricinfo.
If Bengaluru is ruled out, the Greenfield Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram is being considered as a possible replacement, though it is scheduled to host the Kerala Cricket League from August 21 to September 7. The Kerala Cricket Association said it could move the league if needed.
Bengaluru is due to host the September 30 opener between India and Sri Lanka, England v South Africa on October 3, India v Bangladesh on October 26, the second semi-final on October 30 and possibly the final on November 2.
ICC rules require venues to be handed over at least one month before the tournament. Thiruvananthapuram is also set to host warm-up games on September 25 and 27, meaning a decision is expected within a week.
Police said the KSCA had not received clearance as of Monday, the same day the ICC marked 50 days to the tournament. KSCA has already moved its Maharaja Trophy T20 matches from Chinnaswamy to Mysore after failing to obtain permission, even for games behind closed doors.
The June 4 stampede near the stadium during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL victory parade killed 11 people and injured more than 50, prompting the resignations of the KSCA secretary and treasurer. A state-appointed panel later deemed the venue unsafe for large gatherings.
The uncertainty has disrupted teams’ plans to train in Bengaluru using multiple practice venues, including the KSCA’s Alur ground.
ANI