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Newly elected Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) president Venkatesh Prasad is hopeful of securing the State government’s permission to hold the opening fixture of the upcoming IPL 2026 in Bengaluru.
Fielding queries from reporters in Mysuru on December 16, Mr. Prasad, also a former Indian seamer, said it has been a tradition to hold the opening ceremony of the IPL on the home ground of the defending champions.
Despite Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) winning the trophy last year, there was uncertainty over the venue of the curtain raiser for this year’s IPL in view of the tragic stampede outside M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru which claimed 11 lives during the victory celebrations in June this year.
Mr. Prasad said the he had already met Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. Though he and the newly elected KSCA team were unable to meet Home Minister G. Parameshwara, Mr. Prasad said he had spoken to him over the phone and will be meeting him soon after his return to Bengaluru from the Legislature session currently under way in Belagavi.
Mr. Prasad said he was hopeful of securing the government’s permission and referred to the “green signal” from the government. However, he said the KSCA was waiting for written permission with regards to whatever has been communicated to them “orally”.
Mr. Prasad said he was also in touch with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), for whom a “green signal” from the State government to hold the opening fixture of the IPL 2026 in Bengaluru was a matter of relief.
The KSCA president said Indian cricketer Virat Kohli is scheduled to participate in the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy to be held in Bengaluru. However, the venue of the match in Bengaluru featuring Mr. Kohli’s Delhi team has not yet been finalised, he said.
Mr. Prasad said the State government’s proposal to build a stadium on the outskirts is likely for all sports activities and not just for cricket.
With regard to the long-pending proposal to build an international-standard cricket stadium in Mysuru, he stated that such a stadium should be constructed here as Mysuru is close to everyone’s heart.
He also emphasised the need for good grounds with infrastructure for children to play and bring out their talents. Such good grounds are necessary in all mofussil areas, he said.
With regard to a question on IPL tickets sold in the “black market”, Mr. Prasad said he was not aware of any such practice and would definitely take action if it was found happening.
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