We basically came here to invite Deputy CM G Parameshwara: Venkatesh Prasad

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Former Team India cricketer and incumbent president of Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) Venkatesh Prasad has extended an invitation to the deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara for the fifth T20I match between Team India and the West Indies.

The former cricketer stated that Parameshwara played a crucial role in bringing cricket back to the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.

VIDEO | Bengaluru: KSCA President Venkatesh Prasad, says, “We basically came here to invite him (Deputy CM G Parameshwara) for the T20 International that is happening between India and West Indies on the 17th… here at Chinnaswamy Stadium. So, I mean our honorable DCM was largely responsible for bringing back cricket, be it IPL or the international matches. So, he was the one who constituted this expert committee headed by Sri Maheshwar Rao ji and also our Commissioner of Police Seemanth Kumar Singh ji.” #Bengaluru #INDvsWIT20 (Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/bIyFWTfmBd)

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 13, 2026

Currently, Team India is busy featuring in the ongoing five-match T20I series against the Caribbean side. So far, the “Men in Blue” are leading the series by 2-1, with the fourth clash scheduled to be played on October 14 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad.

The fifth T20I match will be played on October 17 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Earlier, the Karnataka government on Monday gave formal approval to the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) to host cricket matches at the venue, ending months of uncertainty following the stampede after Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) maiden title win.

At least 11 people were killed and more than 30 injured in a stampede near the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4, 2025 during RCB’s IPL victory celebrations, raising serious concerns over crowd management. In the aftermath of the tragedy, the Karnataka government temporarily banned sporting events with spectators at the venue until safety measures were upgraded to international standards.

Coming to the series, the “Men in Blue” will look to continue riding on their winning momentum and seal the series.

IND vs WI 4th T20I: Full squads

India: Sanju Samson (WK), Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Shreyas Iyer (C), Ishan Kishan (WK), Shivam Dube, Abhishek Sharma, Arshdeep Singh, Tilak Varma, Ravi Bishnoi, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mayank Yadav, Naman Dhir, Prince Yadav, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

West Indies: Akeal Hosein, Roston Chase, Shai Hope (C) (WK), Gudakesh Motie, Shimron Hetmyer, Amir Jangoo (WK), Keemo Paul, Shamar Springer, Rovman Powell, Romario Shepherd, Sherfane Rutherford, Matthew Forde, Kamil Pooran, Quentin Sampson, Jewel Andrew (WK), Shamar Joseph.

(With Inputs from Agencies)

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