Bengaluru's Chinnaswamy Stadium not to host Ranji Trophy final; title clash heads to Hubballi - here's why

New Delhi: The Ranji Trophy final between Karnataka and Jammu and Kashmir will be staged at the KSCA Hubballi grounds from February 24, the Karnataka State Cricket Association confirmed on Thursday, ending speculation over the venue for the season's showpiece fixture.

The decision to move the match out of Bengaluru's iconic M Chinnaswamy Stadium was taken to accelerate ongoing safety and infrastructure upgrades at the city centre venue. Several spectator gates and access points are currently being dismantled and widened as part of a state-appointed expert committee's recommendations, making it impossible to guarantee the match-day standards expected for a final, KSCA spokesperson Vinay Mruthyunjaya said.

"After careful evaluation and detailed consultations, the Association, in coordination with the Board of Control for Cricket in India, has taken a considered and strategic decision to stage the final at Hubballi," Mruthyunjaya stated. He emphasised that the works in progress would have compromised both spectator convenience and the high-quality viewing experience befitting a marquee domestic encounter.

Beyond logistical necessity, the relocation aligns with the newly elected KSCA managing committee's ambition, led by former India pacer Venkatesh Prasad, to decentralise top-tier cricket within Karnataka. "This initiative is aimed at promoting cricket across the State, nurturing regional fan engagement, and strengthening the sporting ecosystem beyond Bengaluru," Mruthyunjaya added.

The shift marks a rare instance of a Ranji Trophy final being contested outside Karnataka's capital, offering cricket enthusiasts in the northern districts an opportunity to witness the title clash first-hand and underscoring the association's commitment to widening the sport's footprint.