Bengaluru: In a massive setback for Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has moved the ODI series between visiting South Africa ‘A’ and India ‘A’ teams, scheduled between Nov. 13 and 19, from Bengaluru to Rajkot.

The BCCI is said to have considered the stampede incident that took lives of 11 youths and injuring many RCB fans on a serious note forcing it to shift the matches out of Chinnaswamy Stadium. 

The BCCI, in a press release, has stated, “The South Africa Men’s A Team will face India A in two multi-day matches and three one-day games, starting Oct. 30, 2025. While the two multi-day matches will continue to be held at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (COE) in Bengaluru, the three one-day games have been moved from M. Chinnaswamy Stadium to the Saurashtra Cricket Association                                            Stadium in Rajkot.”

ICC Women’s World Cup matches doubtful

The stampede incident is also expected to dent the chances of KSCA hosting the ICC Women’s World Cup matches at Chinnaswamy Stadium.

The tournament will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka between September and November.

As per schedule, Bengaluru was to host the inaugural match of the tournament involving India on Sept. 30, one semi-final on Oct. 30 and the final on Nov. 2 if Pakistan does not qualify. In case Pakistan qualifies, the final match would be held in Colombo.

Former Indian Women’s Team Skipper Shantha Rangaswamy told media persons that, she was unable to digest the fact that such an incident had occurred at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, which had been serving the cricket fans from the past 50 years.

“Shifting of Women’s World Cup matches out of Bengaluru will be a great loss for cricket in the State. We have not seen much development in women’s cricket for the past couple of years. In case the matches are shifted, it will put cricket in the State on backfoot,” she rued.

According to sources, KSCA will not be able to host matches at Chinnaswamy Stadium for a certain period until the renovation works are completed. As a result of the stampede, compound walls of Stadium, gates, railings, steps and toilets have been damaged.