IPL 2025: Kolkata’s Fate As Final Host Hangs In The Balance
The final and second qualifier of the 18th season of the Indian Premier League were originally scheduled to be held at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. However, due to escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, the entire tournament was postponed by a week. The IPL will now resume on 17 May.
The first match after resumption will be played between RCB and KKR, while the final is set for 3 June. However, the BCCI has not yet confirmed the venues for the playoff matches and the final. There is speculation that the final may be shifted from Kolkata due to the likelihood of adverse weather conditions.
CAB Wants Final to Stay in Kolkata
Meanwhile, the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) is making every effort to retain the final in Kolkata. According to RevSportz, CAB has requested a weather forecast from the Kolkata Meteorological Department for 3 June. However, the department has responded that it’s too early to provide an accurate forecast and reliable information will only be available around 25 May.
CAB also contacted the Indian Meteorological Department in Delhi, but was told that the matter falls under the jurisdiction of the Kolkata office. CAB has since submitted all weather-related reports to the BCCI. According to CAB sources, “It would not be right to shift the final based solely on weather speculation. We hope BCCI will make a balanced decision after considering all the facts.”
🚨 BIG UPDATE ON IPL FINAL 🚨
– CAB reached out to the Regional Meteorological Centre in Kolkata asking for the report on the weather pattern on June 3rd, the report has been submitted to the BCCI. [Gargi Raut from RevSportz]
They have requested the right to host the final. pic.twitter.com/XBJsR8TuEb
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) May 15, 2025
Hope Still Alive
While BCCI has not officially announced the venues for the playoffs and final, CAB remains optimistic that the final will take place at Eden Gardens. A CAB official stated, “We’ve successfully hosted every event so far. It’s too early to make weather predictions, and we’ve submitted all the necessary documents.”
Kolkata was awarded the IPL 2025 final because KKR won the 2024 title. However, if the BCCI decides to shift the final from Kolkata, some major matches of the 2025 T20 World Cup may be allotted to Eden Gardens as compensation.
Will Delhi Host Playoff Matches?
According to a report by the Times of India, Delhi is also in contention to host this season’s IPL playoff matches. However, Ahmedabad is currently considered the frontrunner to host the final, as the weather forecast there is more favorable. Sources indicate that the final is likely to be shifted from Kolkata due to the high probability of rain around 3 June.
A source mentioned, “There was a significant chance of rain on the scheduled final date in Kolkata, prompting the BCCI to explore safer alternatives. So far, the weather outlook for Ahmedabad, Delhi, and Mumbai appears favorable.”
According to the revised IPL 2025 schedule, Qualifier 1 will be played on 29 May, Qualifier 2 on 1 June, and the Eliminator match is set for 15 May.