Bengaluru has been dropped as a venue for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 after the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) failed to obtain mandatory state government permissions, despite receiving an extended deadline from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). According to a Cricbuzz report, the International Cricket Council (ICC) is expected to confirm a replacement within the next two days, with Thiruvananthapuram emerging as the frontrunner.
Bengaluru Loses India’s September 30 Opener
The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium was originally scheduled to host five matches, including the tournament opener featuring India against Sri Lanka on September 30, England vs. South Africa on October 3, India vs. Bangladesh on October 26, and two knockout games. Bengaluru was also in contention to host the final on November 2, depending on Pakistan’s qualification, as their matches are set for the neutral venue of Colombo.
RCB Celebration Tragedy Prompts Government Stance
The city’s exclusion stems from a tragic stampede on June 4 during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL victory parade, which claimed 11 lives and injured dozens. This incident prompted the Karnataka government to adopt a stricter stance on granting permissions for major cricket events, citing concerns over crowd safety and security preparedness.
Deadline Missed Despite Extension
The BCCI set August 9 as the initial deadline for the KSCA to secure approvals but extended it to August 11 to salvage the games. Despite the extension, no clearance was granted, leaving the ICC and BCCI with no choice but to relocate the matches.
Thiruvananthapuram in Pole Position
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala’s capital, is the leading candidate to host the displaced fixtures, with its Greenfield International Stadium favored for its modern infrastructure and proximity to Colombo. Hyderabad was also considered, but Chennai was ruled out due to ongoing renovations at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, which will remain unavailable until December.
Schedule Likely to Be Revised
With Bengaluru out, the ICC may need to revise the Women’s World Cup 2025 schedule, which currently includes matches in Guwahati, Visakhapatnam, Indore, and Colombo. The tournament, running from September 30 to November 2, features eight teams in a round-robin format, with the top four advancing to the semi-finals. The shift to Thiruvananthapuram could impact logistics and fan plans, but the ICC is expected to announce updates soon.
Future of Big Cricket in Bengaluru in Doubt
The Karnataka government’s stringent approach has already affected other tournaments, with the Maharaja T20 Trophy moved to Mysuru’s Wadeyar Ground and the Maharani T20 competition shifted to Alur. This latest setback casts uncertainty over Bengaluru’s ability to host key matches in the 2026 T20 World Cup and the Indian Premier League, raising concerns about the city’s cricketing future.
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