Former India seamer Venkatesh Prasad has pledged to restore the stature of M Chinnaswamy Stadium and ensure improved governance and transparency at the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) if elected in the upcoming board elections.
Prasad, who served as KSCA vice-president from 2013 to 2016, announced his candidature in Bengaluru on Wednesday. His team features former India women’s captain Shantha Rangaswamy and ex-KSCA officer and BCCI finance committee member Vinay Mruthyunjaya.
“Our goal is to bring international cricket back,” Prasad said. “Chinnaswamy Stadium is an iconic venue standing for over 50 years. Even the Maharaja Cup has been shifted out, which is not ideal.”
The KSCA is currently facing multiple administrative and operational challenges. The association has been functioning without a secretary and treasurer since June after resignations following a stampede near the stadium that claimed 11 lives during a Royal Challengers Bengaluru celebration. Subsequent police permissions for events have been denied, forcing the Maharaja T20 Trophy to relocate to Mysore. These issues also put Bengaluru’s hosting of the upcoming Women’s World Cup in jeopardy.
The stadium has faced regulatory hurdles, including power cuts by BESCOM due to fire safety non-compliance. Bengaluru was originally scheduled to host the Women’s World Cup opener, the second semi-final, and possibly the final, but approvals remain pending. “If permissions aren’t in place, matches cannot be hosted,” Mruthyunjaya noted.
If elected, Prasad’s team plans to prioritize safety audits and address the concerns raised by the Justice Michael D’Cunha report, which deemed the stadium unfit for large gatherings. “Safety of fans and players will be our top priority,” Mruthyunjaya emphasized.
Prasad also outlined plans to expand the stadium’s seating capacity from 34,000–35,000 to about 50,000, keeping engineering feasibility in mind. Additionally, the KSCA intends to create a Lord’s-inspired cricket museum with interactive exhibits and a virtual reality experience, celebrating the heritage of Indian and Karnataka cricket.
Prasad’s vision combines improving infrastructure, restoring international fixtures, and ensuring fan safety, aiming to bring cricket back to the heart of Bengaluru.
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