VENKATESH PRASAD, former India fast bowler, has been elected the president of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) following Sunday’s elections. Leading the Team Game Changers panel, Prasad secured 749 votes, defeating KN Shanth Kumar, backed by Brijesh Patel, who received 558.
Prasad’s panel swept nearly all key office-bearer positions. Former batter Sujith Somasundar, who recently resigned as head of cricket education at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, won the vice-presidential race with a 719-588 margin over D Vinod Sivappa.
Former secretary Santosh Menon returned to his former post after edging out ES Jairam with 675 votes to 632. For the treasurer’s position, BN Madhukar prevailed with 736 votes against MS Vinay’s 571.
The only success for Patel’s group came through former umpire BK Ravi, who won the joint secretary post by defeating AV Shashidara, 669-638.
Throughout their campaign, the Prasad-led panel emphasised revitalising cricket at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, where no major matches have been held since the stampede during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s title celebrations.
Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka and also a KSCA life member DK Shivakumar had visited the stadium earlier in the day to cast his vote. In a chat with the media, he said, “Will not allow IPL matches to be shifted out of Chinnaswamy stadium. This is a question of Bengaluru and Karnataka’s pride. We will ensure IPL matches are held here. I am a cricket fan. We will ensure that such incidents don’t recur in the future and uphold the reputation of the stadium. We will also build a new cricket stadium as an alternative.”
