IPL 2025: Bengal Govt Alleges Political Motive Behind BCCI's Decision to Shift Playoffs, Final from Kolkata to Gujarat

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The cricket pitch has turned political turf yet again, as the Bengal Govt lashed out at the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for relocating the IPL 2025 playoffs and final from the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata to Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium.

The move, West Bengal Sports Minister Aroop Biswas claimed, was less about weather and more about politics. "I previously addressed the media during a press conference regarding the political motivations behind the decision to relocate the playoffs and final matches from Eden Gardens, as per reports on PTI.

Recent developments have further illuminated this issue," Biswas stated on Sunday evening in a sharply worded statement. The BCCI had cited satellite weather data to justify the shift, flagging a higher risk of rain in Kolkata.

However, the West Bengal government is far from convinced. "The satellite data utilised by the BCCI and the IPL governing body, which was presented as a meteorological assessment, indicated a likelihood of rain in Kolkata during this period. Consequently, the playoffs and final were moved to Gujarat," Biswas acknowledged.

But in the very next breath, the Minister questioned the neutrality of the data. "It has become increasingly evident that this satellite report was not solely based on weather conditions but was influenced by political considerations," he asserted.

The controversy has stoked widespread debate among cricket fans in the city, many of whom were eagerly awaiting the chance to watch their heroes at Eden Gardens-a ground steeped in history and emotion for Indian cricket. The state's officials are now doubling down on what they view as an intentional sidelining of Bengal.

"Today, it is clear that cricket fans in Kolkata have been unjustly deprived of this significant sporting event due to political motives. The same satellite that forecasted potential rain in Kolkata failed to recognise the possibility of rain at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Gujarat," said Biswas, in a veiled swipe at the decision-makers.

In a pointed accusation, he added, "This discrepancy underscores that the decision was not driven by meteorological factors, but rather by a politically motivated agenda aimed at sidelining Bengal."

Fuel was added to the fire last week when Biswas highlighted a breach of IPL convention: the final is traditionally hosted at the home ground of the previous season's champions. This year, that would have made Eden Gardens the rightful venue. Instead, Gujarat-where the ruling party wields significant influence-has bagged the high-profile matches.

The second qualifier and the final, slated for June 1 and 3 respectively, are now being held at the Narendra Modi Stadium, the largest cricket stadium in the world, but not without controversy clouding the move.

As the political storm rages, cricket fans in Kolkata are left nursing their disappointment, and perhaps wondering whether rain was ever the real reason Eden Gardens was left out in the cold.