With less than two months to go until the start of the Women's ODI World Cup, uncertainty looms over the role of host city Bengaluru.
Sports News: The Women's ODI World Cup 2025 is less than two months away, but a major city is facing uncertainty regarding its hosting duties. Bengaluru's M. Chinnaswamy Cricket Stadium was slated to host four important matches, including the opening match and a semi-final. Now, a delay in state government approval has cast a shadow over these matches.
Increased Uncertainty Regarding Hosting
The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has not yet received formal permission from the state government to host the ODI World Cup matches. This could impact not only the tournament's opening match but also the semi-final and other high-profile encounters. The first match is scheduled for September 30 between India and co-host Sri Lanka.
Additionally, England vs South Africa on October 3, India vs Bangladesh on October 26, and the second semi-final on October 30 are scheduled to be held at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. The tournament final is slated for November 2 here, but if Pakistan qualifies, the final will be shifted to Colombo.
June 5 Stampede Incident as a Reason
The biggest reason for the delay in approval is the stampede that occurred during the RCB (Royal Challengers Bangalore) victory parade on June 5, which raised several questions about crowd management. This incident is still under legal investigation, and since then, the state government has become more cautious about large-scale sporting events.
KSCA Awaits
In a conversation with Cricbuzz, an official from KSCA stated:
'We have written to the state government and are awaiting their response. It's not that they have directly refused permission. If their policy was not to grant permission, they would not have allowed the recent Maharaja Cup in Mysore to be hosted either. We hope to receive a positive response soon.'
The BCCI and ICC are also monitoring the situation, as changes to the tournament schedule could impact not only logistics but also TV broadcasts and ticketing systems.
Potential Impact on the Tournament
If timely approval is not received from the state government, the ICC will have to look for alternative venues for these matches. This would increase the likelihood of changes to team preparations, spectator ticket booking plans, and broadcasting arrangements. Experts believe that a cricket-loving city like Bengaluru provides a large audience base and a great atmosphere for women's cricket. In such a situation, not having matches here could affect both the glamour and viewership of the tournament.
Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 – Bengaluru Schedule
- September 30: India vs Sri Lanka (Opening Match)
- October 3: England vs South Africa
- October 26: India vs Bangladesh
- October 30: Second Semi-final
- November 2: Final (in Bengaluru if Pakistan does not reach the final; otherwise in Colombo)
The Women's ODI World Cup 2025 is a historic opportunity for Indian cricket and women's sports. Hosting matches in a prestigious city like Bengaluru can greatly enhance the grandeur of the tournament.
