No fans in Virat Kohli’s VHT 2025/26 return for Delhi in Bengaluru? Report drops massive update

The fans at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru will not get the opportunity to watch Virat Kohli for the Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) 2025/26 opener on December 24, with the Karnataka government set to issue an order to the KSCA as the high-fever clash will be played behind closed doors. The BCCI’s Centre of Excellence has kept the backup venue in case the police don’t give permission.

The KSCA hinted at the possibility of the two stands open to the general public, which could have been for 2000-3000 spectators if full. But the proposal has gone against the government, which cited ‘potential security and compliance issues’ as work on areas identified to be addressed.

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The reports have confirmed that the state government wants to prevent chaos around the venue during the holiday season, given the stature of the players. Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant are available for the first two matches, and that earlier forced the KSCA to change the venue from Alur to Chinnaswamy to prevent the logistical issues.

No fans allowed in Bengaluru for Virat Kohli's return in VHT 2025/26

Kohli and Pant arrived in the city late on Monday night and are expected to train with the Delhi squad ahead of the opening clash against Andhra. This will be Kohli’s first outing at the Chinnaswamy Stadium since a tragic stampede on June 04. That was marked by the victory celebrations of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), which led to 11 deaths and several injuries.

Since Venkatesh Prasad took over as the president of KSCA, there has been activity around the venue and its various changes. Several meetings were held with the government over the possibility of the top-flight cricket, including the Indian Premier League (IPL), which may return to the venue. However, there are still fresh issues with Justice John Michael D’Cunha, who labelled the venue as ‘highly unsafe.’

Even the chief minister, DK Shivakumar, has been vocal about the game’s return to the stadium venue to restore the pride of the city. The KSCA facility in Alur has three grounds and will host some of the other matches in the city.