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New Delhi, June 2, 2025 – The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has dismissed the recent political controversy over the change of venue for the play-offs and final of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. The board has made it clear that the decision was taken purely due to weather and logistical reasons and there is no political motive behind it. BCCI Vice-President Rajiv Shukla opened up on the matter on Monday (June 2).
Originally, the final of IPL 2025 was supposed to be held at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. But in the changed schedule, the final match was shifted to the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Along with this, the venue of some of the play-off matches was also changed from Hyderabad to Mullanpur. After this change, there were allegations from the West Bengal government that the final was shifted from Eden Gardens for political reasons. West Bengal Sports Minister Arup Biswas had directly alleged political interference in this matter.
However, Rajeev Shukla told news agency ANI, "People should not find any politics in this transfer. This decision was not politically motivated."
He explained that if the IPL had gone ahead as per its original schedule and the tournament had not been postponed for a week due to the India-Pakistan conflict, the final would have been held in Kolkata on May 25 and the play-off matches would have been held in Hyderabad. But the weather forecast became a major concern due to the changed schedule.
Shukla added, "The broadcasters had also informed that the weather in Kolkata on a particular day could be bad, there is a possibility of rain and the match could be washed out. This could cause them a huge financial loss. So they wanted a venue where there is less chance of rain."
The BCCI vice-president said that multiple venues including Delhi, Lucknow, Chennai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Chandigarh and Ahmedabad were considered for the final and play-off matches. After reviewing the weather reports, it was found that Chandigarh and Ahmedabad have the least chance of rain. That is why the decision was made to shift the matches to these two cities.
He stressed, "This is not just about Kolkata. We have had to change the venue many times in the past too. So, this is nothing new. There is no political conspiracy here." Although West Bengal Sports Minister Arup Biswas has repeatedly stood firm in his allegations, the BCCI has stuck to its stand.
The final of IPL 2025 will be held tomorrow (June 3) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Despite the controversy surrounding the match, the attention of cricket fans is now on the match.
