Maharaja T20 Shifted from Bengaluru to Mysuru Amid Safety Concerns at Chinnaswamy Stadium

The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has relocated the upcoming fourth season of the Maharaja T20 Trophy from Bengaluru to Mysuru, after failing to obtain police clearance to host the tournament at the iconic M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Originally scheduled to take place in Bengaluru from August 11 to 27, the tournament will now be held at the Wadeyar Stadium in Mysuru. The decision was communicated to franchise owners earlier this week, forcing teams into a last-minute scramble to rearrange travel and logistics. All teams, except Mysuru Warriors, had been training at various venues in Bengaluru.

This late shift comes in the wake of heightened scrutiny around the Chinnaswamy Stadium, which was the site of a tragic stampede during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL victory celebrations on June 4. The incident led to the deaths of 11 people and injuries to over 50 others, prompting the resignation of two KSCA office bearers.

A state government-appointed inquiry commission subsequently deemed the stadium "unsafe for large-scale events", and recommended shifting major gatherings to more suitable venues. The KSCA has since been under pressure to improve safety protocols and infrastructure at the stadium.

The safety concerns have also raised questions about Bengaluru's ability to host matches during the Women's World Cup, scheduled to begin September 30. The Chinnaswamy Stadium is slated to host five matches, including the tournament opener and one semi-final. However, sources indicate that the International Cricket Council (ICC) is not currently considering moving the games out of Bengaluru.

In Mysuru, the KSCA has been working urgently to get the Wadeyar Stadium ready, setting up makeshift spectator stands, preparing pitches, and installing temporary broadcast infrastructure to ensure a smooth tournament.

Despite the off-field challenges, the Maharaja T20 promises high-quality action with a host of Karnataka’s top domestic stars participating. Among the headline names are Karun Nair and Prasidh Krishna, both representing Mysuru Warriors after their return from India’s Test series in England. However, Nair may miss the initial games due to a finger injury sustained in the fifth Test, while Prasidh is expected to join the squad midway through the tournament after being advised rest.

Other big names in the fray include Manish Pandey, Mayank Agarwal, Devdutt Padikkal, as well as rising talents like R Smaran, Vijaykumar Vyshak, KV Aneesh, and Nikin Jose.

Meanwhile, the Maharani T20, KSCA’s women’s T20 competition that began on August 4, continues to be held at Alur, on the outskirts of Bengaluru, unaffected by the developments surrounding the men's tournament.

Key Dates:

Maharaja T20: August 11 – 27, 2025 (Wadeyar Stadium, Mysuru)
Women’s World Cup: From September 30, 2025 (Chinnaswamy Stadium among scheduled venues)