In a significant shake-up to the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 schedule, Bengaluru is all but confirmed to lose its share of matches, including the high-profile India opener on September 30, with Thiruvananthapuram emerging as the frontrunner to host the displaced fixtures.
The decision, reached after last-minute efforts by the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) failed to secure state government clearance, is expected to be made official by the International Cricket Council (ICC) within the next 48 hours.
Chinnaswamy Stadium was originally allotted five matches: the tournament opener between India and Sri Lanka, England’s clash with South Africa (October 3), India’s group-stage tie against Bangladesh (October 26), along with two knockout ties, possibly including the final.
But the June 4 tragedy during Royal Challengers Bangalore’s IPL victory parade, which left 11 dead and dozens injured, has drastically altered the city’s cricket landscape. The Karnataka state government has since taken a more stringent approach to hosting large-scale sporting events, with security and crowd management concerns at the forefront.
Despite the BCCI granting KSCA a two-day extension beyond the original August 9 deadline, no breakthrough came by late Monday (August 11). Repeated calls and messages to KSCA officials went unanswered, further fueling speculation that Bengaluru’s matches were being moved.
With Bengaluru out, the BCCI quickly moved to identify alternative venues. Hyderabad and Thiruvananthapuram were shortlisted, but sources indicate that the Kerala capital’s Greenfield International Stadium is the preferred option. The venue has previously earned praise for its infrastructure, match-day management, and enthusiastic crowds during India’s men’s matches, qualities that could now see it play a central role in women’s cricket’s biggest stage.
Thiruvananthapuram’s readiness and political green light appear to have swung the balance in its favour. Hyderabad remains the secondary option, while Chennai, once considered, was ruled out due to ongoing renovation work at Chepauk, which is unavailable until December.
The ICC will now have to rework portions of the tournament fixture list. This adjustment comes in a World Cup already operating with a unique arrangement for Pakistan’s matches, all of which will be staged in Colombo, Sri Lanka, due to political and diplomatic sensitivities.
Should Pakistan defy the odds and qualify for the final, Colombo will host the title clash. However, if they do not make it that far, the final is expected to be contested in India, with Thiruvananthapuram now potentially in the running to grab that marquee game.
The venue shuffle is an unexpected plot twist in a tournament that had been meticulously planned to showcase women’s cricket to packed stadiums across India. The loss of Bengaluru, a city with a strong fan following for cricket, is a disappointment for players and supporters alike. But if Thiruvananthapuram does secure the opener and knockout matches, it presents an opportunity for Kerala’s cricketing fanbase to experience women’s cricket at its highest level.
With just over a month to go before the World Cup kicks off on September 30 and runs until November 2, the ICC and BCCI now face a race to finalize logistics, ticketing, and local arrangements for the shifted matches. For now, the headline is clear: as Bengaluru bows out, Kerala could be stepping up to play a starring role in one of the most anticipated ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025.
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