Mysuru, Dec 16 (NationPress) It appears that Bengaluru is poised to kick off this year's Indian Premier League (IPL) as the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has officially approached the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to hold the much-anticipated opening match in the city.

On December 12, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar confirmed that cricket games will be permitted at Bengaluru's Chinnaswamy Stadium, provided adequate safety measures are implemented.

"We have sanctioned cricket matches at the stadium while taking all essential precautions to ensure safety and uphold Bengaluru's esteemed reputation," remarked Shivakumar.

During a press conference in Mysuru on Tuesday, KSCA President and former Indian fast bowler Venkatesh Prasad stated that discussions with the BCCI regarding hosting the IPL opener in Bengaluru have already taken place.

Prasad reported that the BCCI is actively evaluating the proposal.

Typically, the IPL opener is held at the home venue of the previous season's champion team.

However, Prasad mentioned that certain complications during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) celebration had led to previous misunderstandings.

After the KSCA elections, he noted that the cricket association had coordinated with the state government to facilitate the smooth execution of matches.

"Both the Chief Minister (Siddaramaiah) and Deputy Chief Minister (D.K. Shivakumar) have granted their approval for the tournament to be hosted. I have also communicated with the Home Minister via phone. The date for this year's IPL opening match will be determined shortly," Prasad stated.

He emphasized that Bengaluru will continue to be a venue for IPL, international matches, and games across all formats.

Additionally, Prasad mentioned that star cricketer Virat Kohli is expected to visit Bengaluru for the Vijay Hazare Trophy matches.

He pointed out that Bengaluru boasts three stadiums, including the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, yet a final decision regarding the venue for the matches remains pending.

Discussions are also ongoing for the establishment of an international standard cricket stadium in Mysuru.

Reflecting on the past three years, Prasad acknowledged internal challenges faced by the cricket association but assured that his team is committed to addressing all outstanding issues and prioritizing the promotion of quality cricket.

Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar stated, "Home Minister G. Parameshwara is overseeing the arrangements, and KSCA President Venkatesh Prasad, along with police officials, will finalize the details."

Shivakumar underscored that the decision was made to preserve Bengaluru's reputation and avert any unfortunate incidents.

This decision follows the suspension of cricket matches at the stadium after a tragic incident in July, where 11 individuals lost their lives in a stampede during an RCB victory celebration.

The Chinnaswamy Stadium had also missed the chance to host a Women's World Cup match due to security concerns.

No matches have been held at the stadium since the stampede on June 4, which resulted in 11 fatalities.

This announcement was made subsequent to a meeting between KSCA President Venkatesh Prasad and other officials with Deputy CM Shivakumar in Belagavi.

They had also consulted with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and submitted a request for the resumption of cricket matches.