RCB Home Stadium to have New Name? Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah tells KSCA to name Chinnaswamy Stadium Stands

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Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has asked the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) to name the stands of the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in various Karnataka cricket legends in the wake of their Ranji Win Golden Jubilee.

Karnataka won its first Ranji Trophy title in 1974 and this year marks the golden jubilee of that amazing achievement. As a mark of respect to some of the members of that winning team, Siddaramaiah has advised KSCA to change the name of some Chinnaswamy Stands.

Notably, the Karnataka CM has told KSCA to name stands in the names of India cricket gladiators Gundappa Viswanath, Erapalli Prasanna and B S Chandrasekhar to mark the historical occasion. The trio were part of the Karnataka squad which won the first Ranji in 1974.

Former India Sunil Gavaskar first put the proposal forward to KSCA to change the name of the stands.

"I hope this golden jubilee is taken advantage of by the KSCA to name and honour some of the stands at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium after stalwarts, particularly those who won in 1974. Erapalli Prasanna, B S Chandrasekhar, Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble, Javagal Srinath, to name a few," Gavaskar said recently.

Taking the queue, Siddaramaiah sent a letter to KSCA President Raghuram Bhat, urging to change the name of the stands as a mark of respect to the legends.

"I request you to consider naming the stands after GR Vishwanath, EAS Prasanna, and BS Chandrasekhar, which will inspire and encourage the upcoming cricketers of the state," the letter from the Chief Minister wrote.

The letter also mentioned the stadiums of Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata naming stands after the legends. The Wankhede Stadium has a Sachin Tendulkar Stand, similarly, the Eden Garden consists of a Sourav Ganguly stand.

It is to be seen whether KSCA act on the advise of the chief minister. The stands at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium can be christened by the greats that the state has produced over the years. Apart from the aforementioned trio, many other greats of the game have emerged from the southern state.

Current India coach Rahul Dravid, former India coach and India's highest Test wicket-taker Anil Kumble, pacer Javagal Srinath - all of these players have their roots in Karnataka and it only feels apt to commemorate these legends of the game at their cricketing abode.