Will Bengaluru Keep IPL Matches? Karnataka Cabinet to Decide on Dec 12

The Karnataka government has indicated that Bengaluru may retain its IPL fixtures this season, with Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar saying that a final decision will be taken after the state cabinet discusses the issue in Belagavi on 12 December. His remarks suggest that the government is not opposed to holding matches at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, provided concerns around security, crowd management and regulatory compliance are resolved.

Shivakumar met newly elected Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) President Venkatesh Prasad in Belagavi and said the state did not want major cricket events to move away from Bengaluru. He stressed that the government's decision would aim to safeguard both public safety and the city's status as a major cricketing hub.

"We have no intention of stopping matches at Chinnaswamy," Shivakumar said after the meeting. "But crowd control must be planned carefully, and the Michael D'Cunha committee recommendations need to be implemented in stages. Venkatesh Prasad has agreed to this approach. Our government is committed to hosting cricket without harming the state's reputation."

KSCA Seeks Government Support for Major Tournaments

Shivakumar confirmed that the new KSCA leadership had officially requested state support to ensure that marquee tournaments-including the IPL-continue at Bengaluru's iconic stadium. He said the government was willing to work jointly with the cricket body to prevent matches from being shifted to other venues.

"The KSCA President and his team met us to seek cooperation from the government," he said. "We will not allow IPL or any other major fixtures to be moved out of Bengaluru. This will be a coordinated effort."

Venkatesh Prasad Confident of "Positive News"

KSCA President Venkatesh Prasad expressed optimism after the meeting, saying that both international and IPL matches were expected to return to the stadium once the government completed its review of safety norms and regulatory requirements. He said the association had submitted a detailed request to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and the Deputy Chief Minister, and that the matter would come up during discussions in the Assembly on 12 December.

Prasad, who also inspected ongoing work at the KSCA ground in Raj Nagar, Belagavi, said the new administration had assessed gaps left by the previous committee and planned to push for faster development across cricketing facilities.

"We are confident the government will accept our request and give us good news soon," he said, adding that the association had seen little progress in recent years-a situation the new leadership intends to change.

Shivakumar Responds to Dharmasthala Case and Opposition Criticism

Away from cricket, Shivakumar was asked about the developments in the Dharmasthala case, where the complainant has now been chargesheeted. Reiterating his earlier stance, he said he always believed there was a conspiracy behind the allegations and that the institution's reputation remained intact.

"I know Dharmasthala's history. They would never do such a thing," he said. "This was a planned attempt driven by internal disputes between the RSS and BJP. The truth has now surfaced."

He also dismissed opposition claims that the government had mishandled recent farmer protests, insisting that sugarcane and maize growers' demands had been addressed. He argued that earlier BJP governments had failed to resolve these issues.

Decision Expected After Belagavi Session

With the cabinet scheduled to review IPL-hosting conditions during the Belagavi session, the state government and the KSCA appear aligned in their intention to keep major cricket tournaments in Bengaluru. The final decision will weigh regulatory norms, crowd safety measures and ongoing political developments, but both sides have signalled a shared commitment to ensuring that Chinnaswamy Stadium remains a key venue for high-profile matches.