BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla has firmly denied allegations that political motivations influenced the decision to move the IPL 2025 final from Kolkata to Ahmedabad, calling such speculation “untrue” and rooted in misinformation.
Shukla clarified that the venue change, which has sparked widespread commentary across media and social platforms, was a practical decision made in response to changes in the tournament’s schedule and the threat of inclement weather — not political pressure or bias.
“There is no politics in the decision involving the shift in the venue of the IPL 2025 final. If the IPL hadn’t been suspended for a week and the tournament had happened according to the initial schedule, the final would have been held in Kolkata, and the playoffs would have been held in Hyderabad. After the schedule was changed, the weather aspect was considered. Even broadcasters urged the venue shift to avoid losses,” Shukla told ANI.
Multiple cities considered, rain forecasts were key factor
Shukla emphasized that a wide range of potential venues were reviewed, and that cities across India — from North to South — were evaluated for feasibility based on their weather outlook for early June.
“All venues were considered, including Delhi, Lucknow, Chennai, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Kolkata and Ahmedabad,” he said. “According to the weather report, the least likely chance of rain was in New Chandigarh and Ahmedabad. The matches were also shifted from Hyderabad, not just Kolkata. There is no political agenda in this. These rumours are untrue,” he added.
The BCCI’s decision-making process included inputs from weather agencies and the tournament’s broadcast partners, who reportedly raised concerns about potential rain delays impacting match continuity and viewership — which could lead to significant commercial losses.
IPL 2025’s disrupted schedule forces strategic changes
The 2025 edition of the IPL was disrupted mid-season due to a temporary suspension, reportedly over logistical issues involving overseas player availability and security coordination. This forced the BCCI to compress the back-end of the tournament, including the playoffs and final, which were originally planned for Hyderabad and Kolkata.
The venue switch follows a similar pattern to past IPL editions where venue decisions have been driven by operational priorities, security concerns, or weather risks. Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium, with its weather stability and world-class infrastructure, ultimately emerged as the most viable option for hosting the final.
No bias, only logistics — BCCI insists
The public speculation around the Kolkata-Ahmedabad switch highlights the increasingly political lens through which Indian sport is sometimes viewed, especially when major decisions involve high-profile cities or states. However, Shukla’s statements make it clear that the IPL final venue decision was rooted in logistics, not political considerations.
By addressing the controversy head-on, the BCCI has attempted to shift the narrative back to the cricket itself — and away from conjecture about motives.
