IPL 2025: BCCI's Weatherman Stunt - A Grave Injustice for Kolkata as Ahmedabad Rain Exposes Baseless Shifting

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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has once again demonstrated a glaring lack of foresight and accountability by relocating the IPL 2025 Final from Kolkata's iconic Eden Gardens to Ahmedabad, citing "weather concerns."

As the rain continues to pour down at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, the question must be a valid one amongst the CAB officials and the general fans in Kolkata, who also staged a protest for the unduly removal of the final.

As per the IPL provisions, Kolkata got the Final as they are the defending champions. But following the rescheduling due to India-Pakistan tensions, BCCI suddenly removed Kolkata from the list. They cited a cyclone which may ravage the city of Kolkata and weather disturbances for the reason, but it has turned out to be a bland move.

The so-called impending cyclone was nothing but a fallacy. Although a low-pressure belt has caused rain in Kolkata, that is not significant at all. Today (June 1), Kolkata is as dry as it gets, while Ahmedabad is under the weather and the match has delayed over two hours already.

A Flawed Justification from BCCI

The BCCI's rationale for shifting the final was predicated on anticipated inclement weather in Kolkata. However, this reasoning is fundamentally flawed. There were no substantial warnings of severe weather for Kolkata during the scheduled period of the final. The city had hosted multiple IPL matches earlier in the season without any disruption.

In sharp contrast, Ahmedabad has repeatedly seen weather interruptions during major matches, including an IPL final just two years ago. Despite that history, it was chosen over Kolkata. The decision, therefore, appears not only poorly judged but blatantly hypocritical.

The fallout has been immediate. The Qualifier 2 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad is delayed due to rain. There is a reserve day, and the match hangs in the balance of unpredictable skies. This kind of miscalculation, in the knockout stage of the most-watched T20 league, is not just a technical error - it’s a failure of governance.

This decision is a slap in the face to Kolkata and its rich cricketing heritage. Eden Gardens is one of the oldest and most revered stadiums in world cricket. By snatching the final away from the city, the BCCI has not only disrespected its history but also alienated a fan base that has loyally supported the league for years.

Why did BCCI suddenly turn Weatherman? And Such a Poor One!

This was not just about weather - it was about optics, control, and influence. Kolkata became collateral damage in a game of administrative manoeuvring.

This is not the first time the BCCI has made a high-stakes decision under questionable pretenses. Venue decisions must be data-driven, transparent, and consistent, not influenced by politics, pressure, or misread forecasts, which was the case with BCCI, as per the official emblem.

IPL 2025 Final under Rain Doubt

BCCI suddenly turned to weatherman and took the unilateral decision, and it has already proven to be a bad one. But to make matters worse, there are rain predictions on the day of the final and the reserve day as well. As per Accuweather, there is a 48 per cent chance of rain on June 3, the day of final, and then around a 45 per cent chance of thunderstorm and rain on the reserve day on June 4.

A cricket board of this stature cannot operate on presumptions. It cannot rob a city of a final based on dubious projections and then pretend rain delays in Ahmedabad are an unfortunate surprise.

The BCCI’s mishandling of the IPL 2025 Final venue has exposed a systemic issue - questionable priorities, and a lack of respect for the game’s heritage. Kolkata deserved better. The fans deserved better. And the sport deserved better.