BCCI Defends IPL 2025 Final Shift from Kolkata to Ahmedabad

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has finally broken its silence on why the IPL 2025 final was moved from Kolkata’s iconic Eden Gardens to Ahmedabad — and according to them, it all came down to one thing: Science.

Originally, Eden Gardens was supposed to host both Qualifier 2 and the grand final. But in a late twist, the IPL Governing Council, during its meeting on May 20, decided to switch things up. The reason? A weather forecast that suggested trouble brewing over Kolkata. In a statement the day after the final, the BCCI made it clear that the decision wasn’t influenced by politics or preference — just plain data. As per a Cricbuzz report, weather models showed a 65% chance of rain in Kolkata on final night, while Ahmedabad had just a 3% risk. That was enough to sway the board’s decision. 

Naturally, the move didn’t go down quietly. Some critics and political voices questioned the timing and motive behind the last-minute venue change. But BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia addressed the backlash directly. “The decision was never political. We banked on scientific material and inputs. There was no rain forecast in Ahmedabad at the time of the GC,” he said. 

In the end, the gamble paid off. The IPL 2025 final went ahead without a hitch at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, which hosted its third final in the last four seasons after previously doing so in 2022 and 2023. Meanwhile, Kolkata — which was all set to host the final — was slammed with heavy rainfall and thunderstorms starting around 9 pm on the night of the final. The storm lasted over four hours and would have almost certainly disrupted the second innings. 

Ironically, Kolkata had perfect cricket weather on Sunday, June 1, when Qualifier 2 took place — albeit at the relocated venue. Instead, it was the new host city that was briefly hit. The match between Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings in Qualifier 2 was delayed by two hours in Ahmedabad, but eventually played out in full without any overs lost. That delay had fans and officials nervously checking forecasts, but by the time the final rolled around two days later, the decision to stick with Ahmedabad looked very wise. 

So, while fans in Kolkata missed out on a chance to see the season’s biggest match at Eden Gardens, the BCCI’s choice to lean on meteorological data rather than tradition or emotion ultimately ensured a full and fair finale. 

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