Ranji Trophy 2025-26: Fans slam KSCA's poor management in Hubli for Karnataka vs J&K Final

The Karnataka State Cricket Association has been at the receiving end of criticism from the fans after experiencing poor infrastructure and facilities during the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2025-26 final between Karnataka and Jammu & Kashmir at the KSCA Stadium, Hubli. The ground in the northern Karnataka city lacks basic facilities for fans who want to watch and enjoy the grand finale clash in the biggest red-ball domestic tournament in the country. 

Newly elected President and former India and Karnataka cricketer Venkatesh Prasad has also garnered massive backlash from fans for ignorance towards cricketing infrastructure in the state. A fan mentioned how several big Indian states have multiple international cricket grounds, whereas the KSCA manages only one - the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

"It's getting ridiculous to see that there are 4-5 international-level stadiums in every state; we don't have any other than Bangalore. Guru Venkatesh Prasad, develop this Hubballi Stadium first and then make an international stadium in Kalaburagi," a fan vented his frustration on his X (formerly known as Twitter) account.

Ever since Venkatesh Prasad has assumed the KSCA office, there have been massive talks about reviving the state of affairs going on in Karnataka cricketing circles, with the comeback of Chinnaswamy Stadium being the epicentre of it. The Bengaluru ground is yet to receive final confirmation to host international and IPL matches after a stampede incident took the lives of eleven innocents on its premises on June 04, 2025.

The KSCA has also outlined plans for new international cricket venues across the state, with one in the outskirts of Bengaluru that could host over 80000 fans and another one in the Kalaburagi District. The ground reality from fans' perspective, however, suggests that the association should focus on uplifting the existing ones rather than planning for new projects.