Bengaluru, December 7, 2025 – Former Indian fast bowler Venkatesh Prasad has been elected as the new president of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA). Prasad secured a convincing victory in the KSCA elections, defeating veteran sports administrator KN Shanth Kumar by a margin of 749 to 558 votes. A total of 1,307 members cast their votes in the election.
Prasad's win marks his return to the KSCA administration after previously serving as Vice President from 2010 to 2013. His panel, which had the backing of former India players Anil Kumble and Javagal Srinath, also saw Sujith Somasundar elected as Vice President, Santosh Menon as Secretary, and Madhukar as Treasurer. BK Ravi from the KN Shanth Kumar panel secured the position of Joint Secretary.
Prasad takes office at a crucial time for cricket in Karnataka, as the KSCA and Bengaluru aim to revive the sport's image following a tragic stampede near the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4, 2025. The stampede, which occurred during celebrations after the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) won the Indian Premier League (IPL) title, resulted in the deaths of 11 fans and left many others injured.
The incident led to significant upheaval within the KSCA, with the then-secretary A Shankar and treasurer ES Jairam resigning from their posts, taking moral responsibility for the tragedy. The KSCA also faced legal challenges, including a First Information Report (FIR) filed against its members, which the association sought to quash in the High Court.
One of the biggest challenges for Prasad in his new role will be to restore top-flight cricket to the state. The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, an iconic venue, missed out on hosting matches in the T20 World Cup 2026, and its participation in future IPL seasons remains uncertain.
Prasad has emphasized the importance of bringing international matches back to the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium and ensuring that the RCB continues to play its home games in Bengaluru. He has also spoken about upgrading the stadium into a modern, "smart" facility with advanced facilities, digital ticketing systems, enhanced safety protocols, and better crowd management technologies. He also suggested increasing the seating capacity from 35,000 to nearly 50,000.
Prasad's vision extends beyond Bengaluru, with plans to develop cricket infrastructure in other parts of Karnataka. This includes constructing a world-class stadium in Mysuru to serve as an alternative hub for international matches and decentralize cricket development across the state.
In addition to infrastructure development, Prasad has highlighted the need to focus on grassroots cricket, women's cricket, and the welfare of former players. His manifesto includes plans to launch structured leagues for women at all age levels and introduce inter-school and inter-college tournaments to nurture young female talent. He also aims to revive the Karnataka Cricket Academy and involve former state cricketers as mentors and coaches.
With a clear vision and a strong team, Venkatesh Prasad is set to embark on the task of reviving Karnataka cricket and restoring the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium to its former glory. His leadership will be crucial in regaining the trust of fans and ensuring a safe and vibrant future for the sport in the state.
