Former Indian cricket team stalwarts Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble are all set to be honoured by the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) by naming stands after them at the M Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru. Both Jumbo and The Wall have not only made significant contributions to the national team but have also played an integral part in putting Karnataka on the map and by helping domestic cricket grow in the state. Cricket is all set to return to the iconic venue for the first time since the Bengaluru stampede as the KSCA has obtained permission from the state government to host IPL 2026 matches at the venue.
Kumble, Dravid to get stands in Chinnaswamy
Speaking at an event, Kumble said that it felt truly special as his contributions to the state cricket had been recognized. He said that while it did not matter whose name were on the stands, he felt elated to have his contributions permanently etched in the M Chinnaswamy stadium. Kumble has 953 wickets to his name from 401 international matches, and 1707 wickets while representing Karnataka.
“I don’t think it would be out of turn to state that all our contributions have made Karnataka cricket what it is, just as Karnataka cricket is what has made all of us. It’s not really about whose name is on which stand. It’s truly special that all the contributions have been recognized and are now permanently etched in the stadium,” Kumble said, as per a media release.
Former Indian head coach Rahul Dravid said that the M Chinnaswamy Stadium was like a second home to him, pointing out that he had spent more time at the venue than his own residence. He said that he can never be more grateful to the KSCA for honouring him by naming a stand after him.
“It’s been a second home to me, and it’s been a place where, as Anil said, we probably spent more time here than we have spent in our houses. It’s been a place of great happiness, sometimes great disappointment as well, but a place that has truly given me everything I am today. I can never be more grateful for what the KSCA and this great ground and this iconic ground have given me in my life,” Dravid said at the event.
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