IPL 2013 – Bengaluru toasts the spirit of IPL

The sixth season of IPL began with a bang last week and we have already seen some exciting matches. Bengaluru is the home ground of the Royal Challengers Bangalore and its world-class M. Chinnaswamy Stadium will be hosting no less than eight matches in IPL 2013. Cricket crazy fans in the city will be treated to some serious star power – the swashbuckling batting of Virat Kohli, the flamboyant shots of Chris Gayle and the measured, but effective, bowling of Mutthiah Muralitharan. Royal Challengers Bangalore's star performers Hotels in Bengaluru The stadium is conveniently located in the heart of the city, very close to MG Road – Bengaluru’s High Street. So there’s no shortage of hotels to suit all budgets. The Oberoi is on MG Road itself and it’s the perfect place to enjoy unparalleled luxury. St. Mark’s Hotel on St. Mark’s Road is a good mid-range hotel, only 1.2 kilometres from the stadium. For the budget-conscious, The Monarch on Brigade Road (1.3 kilometres away) is a great option. MakeMyTrip has excellent last minute hotel deals on these and many other hotels in Bengaluru, so check them out before booking your stay. The Oberoi at Bengaluru Restaurants in the City Bengaluru has a thriving cafe culture and also boasts of excellent restaurants. Try Karavalli on Residency Road, which is 1.6 kilometres from the stadium. It’s an award-winning restaurant that features in the recent list of 100 best restaurants compiled by noted food critics. It’s known for its Indian food, especially the seafood. Or step back into time at Koshy’s on MG Road. Founded in 1940, the cafe has an old world charm and serves everything from South Indian to British food as well as Chinese. It’s the perfect place for breakfast or brunch.  Pubs in Bengaluru There is no doubt that Bengaluru​ has a swinging nightlife, with many pubs, bars and discotheques where you can unwind after a thrilling match. The Biere Club on Vittal Mallya Road (1 kilometre away) is a stylish brewery and bar, with a wide choice of beers, ales and stouts. It also hosts events such as stand-up comedy nights, so drop by for a fun evening. Plan B, just off Brigade Road, is a small but popular pub. Its burgers are quite the talk of the town, not to mention the cheap beer! The Biere Club in Bangalore Getting around Bengaluru The Bengaluru Metro has made travel within the city easy, especially to MG Road. If you are arriving in Bengaluru by train, the City Junction Station is 5 kilometres from the stadium. The Metro’s Purple Line connects the station to MG Road. The airport is on the outskirts of the city, about 32 kilometres away and an AC bus will get you to MG Road. The other (more expensive) option is taking a prepaid taxi from the airport. From Bengaluru, you can also consider taking a short break to places nearby, such as the hill station of Ooty or the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hampi. So will you be heading to Bengaluru to watch one of the matches during IPL 2013? Plan your trip with MakeMyTrip and book your flight or catch a train to Bangalore.