Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has claimed that he “will not allow IPL matches to be shifted out of Chinnaswamy stadium” that witnessed a stampede on June 4, killing 11 and injuring at least 33.

"This is a question of Bengaluru and Karnataka’s pride. We will ensure IPL matches are held here," Shivakumar told reporters after voting at the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA). Shivakumar is a lifetime member of KSCA.

The Chinnaswamy stadium has not hosted a cricket match since the stampede, missing out of the Women's World Cup and matches of the Indian men's team. The Chinnaswamy was a popular venue for international matches, which last hosted the opener of a three-match Test series featuring New Zealand last October.

"I am a cricket fan. We will ensure that such incidents don’t recur in the future and uphold the reputation of the stadium," Shivakumar said, referring to the stampede that happened during Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) IPL-winning celebrations.

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The stampede occurred when a large crowd, more than what could fill the stadium, rushed to the closed gates to get a glimpse of the players. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said about the tragedy that they "did not expect the crowd to turn up in such large numbers". Shivakumar also claimed that an alternative cricket stadium will be constructed.

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