BCCI likely to replace venue from M. Chinnaswamy Stadium due to lack of clearance: Sources

According to ESPNCricinfo, the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium is on the verge of losing the opportunity to host the ODI Women's World Cup 2025 matches after the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) failed to obtain the police clearance to host the matches. August 10 was the deadline set by the BCCI.

In case Bengaluru is not selected as the venue for the mega event, the Greenfield Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram could be the potential replacement venue.

So far, according to the current schedule, Bengaluru is set to host the ODI Women's World Cup 2025 opening match between Team India and Sri Lanka on September 30. The opening match was followed by England vs South Africa (October 3), India vs Bangladesh (October 26), the second semi-final on October 30, and possibly the final on November 2.

According to ICC rules, host venues must be handed over to the organisers at least one month before the tournament begins. That means the BCCI and ICC will have to make a decision within a week, especially as Thiruvananthapuram is also in line to host World Cup warm-up matches on September 25 and 27.

Currently, the KSCA is conducting the Maharaja Trophy T20 tournament in Mysore, after it had to shift matches from Chinnaswamy due to the lack of police clearance, despite offering to play behind closed doors.

Earlier, the country witnessed a huge stampede outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, following the Royal Challengers Bengaluru's IPL 2025 triumph. The unfortunate incident saw 11 people lose their lives, and several others were injured.

This uncertainty has also thrown the plans of several teams into doubt, as many had intended to base themselves in Bengaluru to make use of multiple practice facilities, including the KSCA's ground in Alur, ahead of the tournament.

(With ANI Inputs)

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