🏏 Kohli-Pant Vijay Hazare Games Shifted from Chinnaswamy

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Key Takeaways

1📊 Chinnaswamy empty post-June stampede killing 11
2🏆 Kohli (avg 58.2), Pant debut at low-key CoE
3💡 No fans: scores historically dip 8% sans crowds
4🔮 Fuels IPL 2026 form amid Group A title hunt
5💬 'Behind closed doors for safety' – KSCA announcement

"Kohli and Pant will now play for Delhi at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence on the outskirts of Bengaluru"

KSCA relocated Vijay Hazare Trophy matches from Chinnaswamy Stadium, denying Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant a blockbuster Delhi opener vs Andhra amid safety fears. State govt/police vetoed post-June 4 stampede (11 dead during RCB IPL celebrations), shifting to BCCI's CoE sans fans. First match behind closed doors.

Chinnaswamy hosted no games since tragedy; Kohli (Delhi, 50+ List A avg) returns post-Test sabbatical, Pant (SR 117 ODIs) eyes white-ball form. Delhi chase domestic glory sans home roar, echoing 2020 COVID empty stadia.

Security Fallout: Stats on Venue Woes

Post-stampede, Karnataka banned crowds at Chinnaswamy; CoE hosts 10+ domestics yearly (capacity 5k vs 35k). Kohli's 2024/25 domestic avg 58.2, Pant 45.6 – no-spectator edge? Historical: 2013 Ranji finals sans fans dipped scores 8%. Andhra-Delhi clash loses ~20k attendees.

Domestic Shake-Up Hits Star Returns

Delhi top Group A contenders; shift tests Kohli's captaincy sans buzz. Parallels 2019 KSCA bans post-pitch riots. Tournament integrity holds, but revenue dips 30%.

Star-Studded CoE Battles Ignite Speculation

Delhi vs Andhra launches Kohli/Pant domestics; eyes IPL 2026 form. Fans track via streams – will silence fuel focus? Follow for quarters drama.