Ahead of the ICC World Cup 2023, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has undertaken the renovation works which might be important previous to the quadrennial extravaganza that’s being performed throughout October and November. The M Chinnaswamy Stadium will host 5 matches in the course of the World Cup. “After the ICC team’s inspection a few days back, we have started the required renovation works such as refurbishing the stands, placing some new seats and renewing the toilets in the stadium.

“Our intention is to rearrange the very best services within the stadium, and as it’s we’ve got top-class services right here on the venue,” said Raghuram Bhatt, the KSCA president, on Thursday after a function to unveil the KSCA Maharaja Trophy T20 trophy.

Bengaluru will host Australia vs Pakistan (October 20), England vs Sri Lanka (October 26), New Zealand vs Pakistan (November 4), New Zealand vs Sri Lanka (November 9) and India vs Netherlands (November 12) matches during the World Cup.

The ICC had recently sent an inspection team to Bengaluru to check on the preparations.

While expressing satisfaction over the venue’s match readiness, the ICC members had suggested some minor tweaks to the existing facilities.

Apart from the World Cup, the KSCA will have their hands full in the coming months as several international and national teams will descend in the city for off-season training.

The WPL team UP Warriorz completed a week-long training in the city, and the state teams of Gujarat, Baroda and Chhattisgarh will arrive here for practice matches in the coming weeks.

If everything goes as per plan, the Karnataka association will also have to entertain the request from some English county sides to train in Bengaluru sooner than later.

To meet this heavy demand, Bhatt said KSCA is planning to add more cricketing venues in the state.

“We have our palms full when it comes to tournaments, and we’re within the means of including extra cricketing venues within the state.

“We have identified places for stadiums in Kolar, Hasan, Mangalore and Karvar. We will take it to the next stage of the development very soon,” mentioned Bhatt.

Meanwhile, KSCA vice-president Sampath Kumar mentioned the upcoming KSCA T20, to be performed between August 13 and 29, can be monitored by the BCCI’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU).

“We had requested the BCCI for the involvement of ACU during the tournament. So, there will be a chief officer of ACU and apart from that, six ACU officials will monitor all the six participating teams.

“We don’t desire any disrepute to be introduced upon the sport, to the event and to the affiliation,” said Sampath.