The West Bengal government has levelled serious allegations against the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), accusing it of politically motivated interference following the relocation of the IPL 2025 playoff and final matches from Kolkata&rsquo;s Eden Gardens to the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
State Sports Minister Aroop Biswas issued a sharply worded statement on Sunday evening, expressing strong objections to the decision, which the BCCI has attributed to weather concerns. Biswas insisted that political motives, not meteorological assessments, influenced the shift.&nbsp;
&ldquo;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. Recent developments have further illuminated this issue,&rdquo; he said.
According to the BCCI, satellite weather forecasts indicated an increased chance of rainfall in Kolkata around the time of the matches. &ldquo;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,&rdquo; said Biswas, acknowledging the explanation provided.
However, the minister went on to cast doubt on the objectivity of the data, alleging political influence behind the decision. &ldquo;It has become increasingly evident that this satellite report was not solely based on weather conditions but was influenced by political considerations,&rdquo; he claimed.
Biswas further criticised the implications of the change, noting that many cricket enthusiasts in the city were left disappointed by the sudden shift away from Eden Gardens, a venue deeply rooted in Indian cricket history. &ldquo;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,&rdquo; he remarked, questioning the consistency of the weather projections.
The minister described the venue change as a deliberate attempt to marginalise Bengal, stating, &ldquo;This discrepancy underscores that the decision was not driven by meteorological factors, but rather by a politically motivated agenda aimed at sidelining Bengal.&rdquo;
Adding to his criticism, Biswas pointed out that the IPL had deviated from its established convention. Traditionally, the final match is held at the home ground of the defending champions. Under that practice, Eden Gardens should have been the host this year. Instead, both the second qualifier and the final&mdash;scheduled for June 1 and 3&mdash;have been reassigned to Ahmedabad&rsquo;s Narendra Modi Stadium.
While the BCCI continues to stand by its justification citing satellite data, the West Bengal government maintains that the relocation was not merely a logistical decision but one rooted in political intent.&nbsp;
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(Left) Narendra Modi Stadium and Aroop Biswas (Right)

West Bengal slams BCCI for moving IPL final from Eden Gardens to Ahmedabad, citing political interference.

Bengal Alleges Politics in IPL Venue Shift to Gujarat

West Bengal slams BCCI for moving IPL final from Eden Gardens to Ahmedabad, citing political interference.

June 2, 2025 | 15:27 IST