Navi Mumbai has replaced Bengaluru as a venue for the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup, to be played in India and Sri Lanka from September 30. The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced on Friday that all matches scheduled at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium — including, provisionally, the final — will now be held at the Dr. D.Y. Patil Stadium.
The switch was necessitated after the Chinnaswamy Stadium failed to secure clearance from local authorities in the aftermath of the June 4 stampede during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s victory celebrations.
“Navi Mumbai has emerged as a genuine home for women’s cricket in recent years. The support it has received during international fixtures and the Women’s Premier League has been remarkable, creating an atmosphere that elevates players and inspires fans. I am certain that the same energy will define the big matches of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup as it returns to India after 12 years,” ICC chair Jay Shah said in a statement on Friday.
“While unforeseen circumstances required us to adjust the schedule and replace a venue, we are pleased to now have a line-up of five world-class venues that will showcase the very best of the women’s game. The stage is set, and I am confident this tournament will capture imaginations and inspire a new generation of fans.”
With the Karnataka State Cricket Association formally informing the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) last week of its inability to host, Thiruvananthapuram was initially considered as a replacement.
However, logistical hurdles — with Thiruvananthapuram airport lacking direct flight connectivity to the other four tournament venues — meant it dropped out of contention despite the Kerala Cricket Association’s willingness to step in at short notice.
The privately owned stadium on the outskirts of Mumbai then emerged as the natural choice. With the monsoon expected to recede from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region by early October, Navi Mumbai will stage its first game on October 20.
With Bengaluru out, the BCCI is understood to have pushed for Guwahati, the hometown of its secretary, to stage the final. Negotiations resulted instead in Guwahati being awarded the opening match (earlier scheduled in Bengaluru) and a semifinal, provided Pakistan does not qualify.
If Pakistan reaches the semifinals, it will play in Colombo, its base for the tournament. Navi Mumbai is now confirmed to host the final.
Published on Aug 22, 2025
