BCCI IPL 2025 Final Venue Shift Triggers TMC & BJP Political Fallout
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 final, originally slated to be held in Kolkata’s iconic Eden Gardens, has been moved to Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). This decision, announced amid growing concerns over weather and security, has ignited a fierce political controversy between West Bengal’s ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Gujarat’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The shift has raised questions about the role of politics in sports administration and the integrity of traditional IPL practices.
⸻
1. The IPL 2025 Final Venue Change: What Happened?
Traditionally, the IPL final is held at the home ground of the defending champions or a venue that reflects the IPL’s commitment to popular cricket hubs. For IPL 2025, the final was scheduled at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, alongside Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium for the playoffs. However, the BCCI’s recent announcement has shifted the final match to Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
This change has disrupted the IPL calendar and sparked backlash from cricket lovers and politicians alike, particularly in West Bengal. The final, now slated for June 3, 2025, marks the third IPL final to be played in Ahmedabad, a venue famous for its modern infrastructure but politically sensitive given the current BJP government.
2. BCCI Cites Weather Concerns as Primary Reason for Shift
The official reason behind the venue change is the early onset of the southwest monsoon, which threatens to disrupt matches scheduled in Kolkata and Hyderabad. The BCCI maintains that the decision was made to ensure a smooth and uninterrupted conclusion to the IPL season.
However, questions arise regarding the timing and accuracy of this forecast. Weather in Kolkata during late May and early June can indeed be unpredictable, but critics argue that the BCCI’s decision appears premature. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) releases weather forecasts closer to the actual dates, typically after May 14. How the BCCI could confidently project monsoon conditions for June 3 weeks in advance remains a point of contention.
⸻
3. Political Fallout: TMC’s Strong Reaction
Aroop Biswas, a close aide to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and a senior TMC leader, has vehemently criticized the BCCI’s decision. He questioned the governing body’s role, sarcastically asking if the IPL council has “turned into weathermen,” mocking their forecasting abilities.
Biswas accused the BCCI of bias against West Bengal, claiming that cricket fans in Bengal are being “deprived” of witnessing IPL’s grand finale in the historic Eden Gardens. He demanded transparency in how the weather forecast was obtained and accused the Board of acting prematurely without credible meteorological backing.
The TMC has portrayed the decision as politically motivated, arguing that shifting the final to BJP-ruled Gujarat is part of a broader pattern of sidelining West Bengal’s interests in national events. The uproar has escalated beyond cricket, bringing political tensions into the sporting arena.
⸻
4. Cricket Association of Bengal and Saurav Ganguly’s Stance
The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), the official governing body of cricket in West Bengal, has echoed TMC’s discontent. CAB President Saurav Ganguly, one of India’s most respected cricketing icons, reportedly tried to intervene by persuading the BCCI to reconsider the decision.
Ganguly’s intervention highlights the deep-rooted cricket culture in Kolkata and the importance of Eden Gardens as a cricketing landmark. The CAB’s opposition stresses that the venue change not only undermines tradition but also disappoints millions of fans who eagerly await the final on their home turf.
Despite these efforts, the BCCI has stood firm on its decision, citing logistical and weather-related concerns, leaving cricket administration caught between political rivalry and operational challenges.
5. IPL 2025 Season Disruptions Amid Rising Political Tensions
This venue controversy is just one of several disruptions IPL 2025 has faced. Earlier in the season, the league was suspended for ten days due to “Operation Sindoor,” a security operation linked to rising border tensions between states.
Matches originally scheduled in northern cities such as Dharamshala and Chandigarh were moved to other safer venues, indicating how political and security concerns are increasingly impacting IPL logistics. This has led to an unpredictable schedule, affecting team preparations and fan engagement.
The shifting of the final venue is thus part of a broader pattern of the IPL season grappling with challenges beyond cricket—security, politics, and public safety.
⸻
6. Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium: A Politically Symbolic Venue
Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium, the world’s largest cricket stadium by capacity, is no stranger to hosting major IPL events. It has already hosted two IPL finals before, including the victorious 2022 campaign of the Gujarat Titans (GT), who top the league charts again in 2025.
While the stadium’s state-of-the-art facilities are praised, its association with the BJP-led Gujarat government adds a layer of political symbolism. Hosting the final here can be seen as a political win for the BJP, especially amid the ongoing rivalry with TMC.
This political undertone has further fueled accusations of favoritism and undermines the neutrality expected from the BCCI as the custodian of Indian cricket.
⸻
7. Impact on Fans and the IPL Legacy
The IPL final is more than just a cricket match; it is a grand celebration of sport watched by millions across the country and the world. Moving the final from Kolkata, a city with deep cricketing roots and one of the sport’s most passionate fanbases, to Ahmedabad, risks alienating loyal fans.
Eden Gardens, with its history and atmosphere, adds to the grandeur of the IPL final, something that cannot be replicated easily in a new venue. The decision may lead to reduced attendance from local fans and dampen the spirit of one of cricket’s biggest events.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi Reflects on His Sensational Debut IPL Season
8. What Lies Ahead: Will the IPL Tradition Survive?
The IPL’s tradition of hosting playoff matches and finals in venues linked to defending champions and runners-up has helped maintain local enthusiasm and honor team legacies. The break from this tradition has stirred debate about the future of venue selection in the IPL.
The BCCI faces pressure to balance operational realities with fan expectations and political neutrality. How it manages this controversy could set a precedent for future IPL seasons, especially in a politically charged environment.
⸻
Conclusion
The shifting of the IPL 2025 final from Kolkata’s Eden Gardens to Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium has opened a Pandora’s box of political disputes and raised questions about the role of external influences in Indian cricket. While the BCCI cites weather and security concerns, the Trinamool Congress and Cricket Association of Bengal see political bias and unfair treatment.
As IPL 2025 heads toward its climax, the controversy underscores the complex interplay between sport, politics, and regional pride in India. Whether the IPL can rise above these challenges and deliver an exciting, uninterrupted finale remains to be seen — but the episode will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most politically charged moments in the tournament’s history.
