In what comes as a huge blow to the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), Eden Gardens is unlikely to host the IPL 2025 final, which was rescheduled to June 3 after a brief break due to India-Pakistan cross-border tensions.
The iconic venue was scheduled to host Qualifier 2 and the grand finale, while Hyderabad was marked for Qualifier 1 and Eliminator. However, going by the ‘weather forecast’, the final is set to be shifted to Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Talks are on regarding who hosts Qualifier 1 and Eliminator, with Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium ahead in the race.
It has been a difficult couple of days for the CAB bosses, who have been in constant touch with the BCCI regarding the summit clash. Sources in the know confirmed that the CAB officials had a lengthy meeting with the BCCI brass, where it was claimed that Kolkata has not received heavy rainfall in the first week of June in the last few years. However, with the schedule already tweaked, the BCCI is in no mood to take a risk. During the back channel negotiations, the CAB said it would incur heavy losses if they the hosting right for the IPL 2025 final is taken away.
The BCCI may compensate by giving Eden Gardens one of the knockout games in the T20 World Cup 2026 to be hosted by India and Sri Lanka. The venue staged the non-India semi-final of the 2023 ODI World Cup, and could get the India semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2026. There are chances that it could get the final as well.
If the CAB is able to get the India semi-final or final of the 2026 T20 WC, then it would come as a proper compensation for the IPL 2025 final, which was expected to be a sold-out affair regardless of the teams participating in the match.
The CAB has yet not lost hopes of hosting the IPL final or two of the knockout games in the tournament. The CAB has already sent a few presentations related to the weather forecast of the last few years in the first week of June.
