Uncertainty looms over Women's World Cup matches in Bengaluru

WOMEN'S WC, 2025

Uncertainty looms over Women's World Cup matches in Bengaluru

by Vijay Tagore • Last updated on

The city is scheduled to host four fixtures, including the tournament opener between India and Sri Lanka, © BCCI

Uncertainty looms over Bengaluru as a venue for the upcoming Women's ODI World Cup. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and International Cricket Council (ICC) are fretting over potential disruption of schedule as the local Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) is yet to obtain permission from the State Government to host the 50-over World Cup matches.

The city is, in fact, slated to host the inaugural game of the eight-team tournament, which is to run from September 30 to November 2. A blockbuster clash between joint hosts India and Sri Lanka has been scheduled at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on September 30. But that game is now uncertain as are three other games, including a semifinal, which have been allotted to the city.

The uncertainty is in view of the tragic stampede in June when 11 fans died as Royal Challengers Bengaluru were celebrating their IPL success. The matter has since gone to the courts, and the State Government has not yet given permission for the matches. The KSCA has shifted the Maharaja Cup T20 tournament from the city to Mysuru and is awaiting a nod on the Women's World Cup.

"We've written to the State Government and are awaiting a response. It's not as if they've denied permission. If that were the policy, they wouldn't have allowed the Maharaja Cup in Mysuru. So, we're waiting," a KSCA official said. "There is some more time for this and we're going step by step."

Apart from the first match, England-South Africa (on October 3), India-Bangladesh (on October 26) and second semifinal (on October 30) have been marked for the Chinnaswamy. ACA Stadium in Guwahati, Holkar Stadium in Indore, ACA-VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam and R Premadasa Stadium (Colombo) are the other four venues for the eight-team ODI World Cup.

The eight competing teams are Australia, England, South Africa, New Zealand, Bangladesh and Pakistan besides hosts India and Sri Lanka. There are 31 games in all in the competition, including 28 league matches, two semifinals and the final.

© Cricbuzz

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