Dubai: Former India fast bowler Venkatesh Prasad is set to take guard in a different role, announcing his decision to contest for the post of President in the upcoming Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) elections. The 54-year-old, who was part of India’s pace attack in the 1990s, released his manifesto on Wednesday, outlining plans to restore the glory of Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Prasad’s move comes at a critical juncture for the KSCA, which has been under scrutiny since the June 4 stampede tragedy outside the stadium during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s maiden IPL title celebrations, where 11 people lost their lives. At his press conference, Prasad began by observing silence for the victims, before stressing that his focus was on rebuilding trust and making the iconic venue a safe, world-class cricketing destination.
“If elected, my team will undertake a comprehensive stadium safety audit, implement remedial measures and work closely with the government and civic authorities to re-establish Chinnaswamy Stadium as India’s premier cricket venue,” he said.
His manifesto promises digital ticketing, advanced crowd management and an upgraded fan experience. He also pledged to bring international cricket back to the stadium, which has remained under review following the tragedy.
Prasad revealed plans to honour Karnataka’s cricketing legends by naming the Pavilion End after Anil Kumble and the Northern End after Rahul Dravid, while dedicating stands to pioneering women’s cricketer Shanta Rangaswamy and former BCCI Secretary C. Nagaraj. A world-class cricket museum, modelled on Lord’s, is also part of his vision, showcasing Karnataka’s cricket heritage with interactive exhibits and digital archives.
While Prasad refrained from commenting directly on the ongoing stampede probe, he underlined that the KSCA needed strong, transparent leadership to ensure such an incident is never repeated. “We want to bring back the glory of the Bengaluru Chinnaswamy Cricket Stadium,” he said, adding that safety, accountability and heritage will be the cornerstones of his campaign.
— With inputs from IANS
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