Why is Chinnaswamy not hosting ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025?
Thiruvananthapuram’s Greenfield Stadium is poised to host matches for the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025, replacing Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, which lost hosting rights due to safety concerns. The tournament, from September 30 to November 2, highlights Kerala’s rising cricketing prominence. So, why is Chinnaswamy not hosting ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025?
Chinnaswamy’s Safety
A tragic stampede on June 4, 2025, during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL victory celebrations claimed 11 lives, prompting the Karnataka government to revoke Chinnaswamy Stadium’s hosting permissions. A probe by Justice John Michael D’Cunha deemed the venue “fundamentally unsafe” for large crowds, citing inadequate design and crowd management. This led to the relocation of other events, like the KSCA Maharaja T20 Trophy, and the Women’s World Cup matches originally scheduled in Bengaluru, including the opener and potential final.
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Thiruvananthapuram to host the matches
The Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) is ready to seize this opportunity, with president K Jayesh confirming to ICC chairman Jay Shah that Greenfield Stadium has the infrastructure to host World Cup matches. While the exact number of matches originally four in Bengaluru is unconfirmed, the KCA is addressing logistical challenges to ensure readiness. The stadium, which hosted men’s ODIs and T20Is, is set to make its women’s international debut.
Impact on India’s Campaign
India’s women’s team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, will open their campaign against Sri Lanka on September 30, potentially at Greenfield Stadium, and face Bangladesh on October 26. The venue shift ensures the tournament proceeds smoothly, with Thiruvananthapuram joining Visakhapatnam, Indore, Guwahati, and Colombo as hosts for the eight-team event. However Indian remain strong contenders for the World Cup with their home advantage and the will to finally get their hands on the ICC trophy, as they will be going the giants like Australia, England, New Zealand and West Indies.
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