New KSCA President Venkatesh Prasad will strive to bring back cricket to famous venue
Former India swing bowler Venkatesh Prasad winning a hotly-contested election on Sunday to become President of the Karnataka State Cricket Association needs to be celebrated for many reasons. Indeed, in recent decades, this was one of the most intense elections for a cricket association affiliated to the Board of Control for Cricket in India. What was and is at stake is pure cricket for the cricket lovers of Bengaluru. They have been starved of the sport since an unfortunate stampede took place on June 4, after RCB won their maiden IPL title.
It is well-known, RCB winning the trophy was a massive moment, and a wait of almost 18 years had borne fruit. When there were celebrations for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, first, at the Vidhan Soudha, where the team was felicitated, it was normal. What happened after that at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4, 2025, resulted in a stampede. It was truly sad for which RCB apologised and offered a compensation as well to families affected.
Still, a blame game followed, with the team owners getting hauled over coal as well as legend Virat Kohli facing flak. Truth to tell, there were far too many fans who turned up than expected and the crowd control measures were not adequate on June 4. To keep going back to that tragedy and punish Bengaluru as a cricket host is wrong. And this is where, Venkatesh Prasad has a big task, winning back the confidence of authorities at various levels to host big-ticket matches, again, at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Anyone who knows a bit about the Garden City will vouch, cricket, as well as tennis at the facility across the KSCA, inside the Cubbon Park has been conducted well. The KSLTA has held tennis events and the stadium has been named after Late SM Krishna. If the tennis facility can host the World Tennis League from December 17 to 21, there is no reason why the KSCA should not hold cricket matches, again.
The topography and layout of this area in Bengaluru is well-known to sports fans. For the KSCA to again find favour with the BCCI is not an impossible task. It is well-known, the KSCA, which was run by former cricketer Brijesh Patel and his team for a long period of time had run out of ideas. The new team under Venkatesh Prasad is aware, there is a lot to be achieved, where hosting matches is just one part.
This is the city which has produced legends like GR Viswanath, BS Chandra, Anil Kumble, Rahul Dravid, Javagal Srinath and many more. It is good that cricketers two prominent cricketers – Kumble and Srinath – have lent full supports to Venkatesh Prasad. Prasad has been involved in many roles in Indian cricket after an active playing career. To say that he has no experience is wrong. After all, the set-up at the KSCA is an old one, with folks who manage the office work well-versed in their jobs.
It was unfortunate, the KSCA did not host matches in the ICC Women’s World Cup recently. But that does not mean the BCCI will never allow cricket matches again at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. The city definitely needs to sample the WPL and IPL, what with marquee names there to boast of – Virat Kohli and Smriti Mandhana. And for those who say Venkatesh Prasad is a right-winger, with a leaning towards the BJP, how does that even matter. He is a cricketer who wants to bring matches back into a city which bustles with energy.
