The BCCI’s choice to maneuver Virat Kohli’s Vijay Hazare Trophy matches from Bengaluru’s iconic M Chinnaswamy Stadium to the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) has now been clarified, with safety and compliance points rising because the decisive elements behind the shift. What was initially anticipated to be a high-profile comeback for Kohli in entrance of residence crowds as a substitute unfolded quietly behind closed doorways on the outskirts of the town.
Virat Kohli’s anticipated return to Chinnaswamy that by no means occurred
Early reviews advised that Kohli would make his return to aggressive cricket on the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, which was initially listed because the host venue for Delhi’s Vijay Hazare Trophy fixtures.
For Bengaluru followers, this carried emotional significance. After months of uncertainty following the June 4 stampede outdoors the stadium, Kohli’s return in home cricket was seen as a symbolic step towards reclaiming the bottom for main matches.
As a substitute, the opening fixture in opposition to Andhra Pradesh was quietly relocated to the BCCI Centre of Excellence, with no spectators allowed.
Authorities and police deny permission for Chinnaswamy
The first motive behind the relocation was the Karnataka authorities and police refusing permission to host matches at Chinnaswamy. Following the deadly June stampede, a government-appointed inspection committee assessed the stadium’s readiness and located critical lapses.
In keeping with media reviews, a number of important crowd-safety suggestions – together with new entry and exit gates, correct queuing zones, evacuation planning, parking administration, and pedestrian move – haven’t been applied. With these shortcomings unresolved, authorities deemed the venue unsafe for big gatherings.
Based mostly on this evaluation, the House Ministry denied approval for Vijay Hazare Trophy matches at Chinnaswamy, particularly with crowd-pullers like Kohli and Rishabh Pant anticipated to draw huge festive-season attendance.
Why the BCCI selected the Centre of Excellence?
With Chinnaswamy dominated out, the Karnataka State Cricket Affiliation (KSCA) was instructed to shift all Bengaluru-based Vijay Hazare fixtures to the Centre of Excellence close to Aerospace Park. The CoE has not too long ago hosted Duleep Trophy and India A matches with out spectators, making it a confirmed low-risk choice.
Authorities felt the CoE supplied tighter safety management, restricted entry factors, and a safer short-term answer whereas Chinnaswamy undergoes structural upgrades and compliance checks.
Kohli delivers masterclass at CoE regardless of empty stands
Whereas the group was lacking, the cricket was not. Kohli walked into the CoE and reminded everybody why the 50-over format stays his consolation zone.
Chasing 299, he smashed a commanding 131 off 101 balls, mentioning his fifty in simply 39 deliveries and his hundred in 83 balls.
Additionally READ: Virat Kohli equals Sachin Tendulkar’s legendary feat in his Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 return for Delhi
𝐕𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐭 𝐊𝐨𝐡𝐥𝐢 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 😎
1️⃣3️⃣1️⃣ runs
1️⃣0️⃣1️⃣ balls
1️⃣4️⃣ fours
3️⃣ sixesA terrific knock from Virat Kohli as he guided Delhi to a 4️⃣-wicket victory in opposition to Andhra 👏
He additionally accomplished 1️⃣6️⃣0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ runs in Males’s Checklist A cricket 🫡 @IDFCFIRSTBank | @imVkohli |… pic.twitter.com/kCfdl3yux1
— BCCI Home (@BCCIdomestic) December 24, 2025
Delhi cruised to 300/6 in 37.4 overs, rendering Ricky Bhui’s 122 for Andhra Pradesh a mere footnote.
The one factor absent from the efficiency was the roar of a packed stadium.
Additionally READ: Followers go wild as Virat Kohli smashes 83-ball century for Delhi in his historic Vijay Hazare Trophy return vs Andhra Pradesh
