BCCI and CAB on a collision course over IPL final venue

The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) is locking horns with the BCCI over a major change that’s sparked fresh controversy—the potential shift of the IPL 2025 final from Kolkata’s Eden Gardens to another venue.

Traditionally, the IPL final is held at the home ground of the defending champions, and this year, that honor belongs to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Naturally, Eden Gardens was the chosen venue—until now.

Due to the recent geopolitical tension between India and Pakistan, the IPL was suspended on May 8 but is now set to resume on May 17. Along with the revised match schedule, the final has also been pushed to June 3, instead of the originally planned May 25. However, reports now suggest that BCCI is reconsidering Eden Gardens as the host for the final, citing potential weather disruptions due to rain in Kolkata around that time.

CAB isn’t taking it lightly.

In a bold counter, CAB has submitted official reports from both the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and regional weather agencies, claiming that accurate forecasting for June 3 is unreliable and that decisions based on speculative predictions are unfair.

More than just a weather issue, insiders hint that this could be influenced by lobbying from another powerful state cricket board looking to host the final. That has turned what should’ve been a logistical decision into a political tug-of-war.

CAB’s stance is clear: if the final is moved, it won’t just be about a change in venue—it will be a matter of lost honor and broken tradition. For fans in Kolkata, Eden Gardens isn’t just a stadium—it’s an emotion.

As the BCCI weighs its final decision, one thing is certain: this isn’t just a cricket match anymore—it’s a battle over legacy, fairness, and the soul of the game.