IPL 2025: WATCH- “Decision not politically motivated”- BCCI VP Rajeev Shukla on moving IPL playoffs out of Kolkata – Circle Of Cricket

By Jatin Sharma – 02 Jun, 2025

Rajeev Shukla, the vice president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), has denied any political motivation behind the decision to relocate the IPL 2025 playoffs and final matches from Kolkata.
A week after being halted because of increased tensions between India and Pakistan, the competition has been extended till June 3.
Vice-president of the BCCI Rajeev Shukla stressed on Monday that weather-related issues and logistical difficulties, not political factors, were the only reasons behind the postponement and relocation of important matches.
At first, Hyderabad and Kolkata were supposed to host the IPL playoffs. However, the playoffs were moved to Ahmedabad and New Chandigarh (Mullanpur) once the tournament resumed.
The final was moved from its planned date of May 25 to June 3. With Qualifier 1 and the Eliminator held in Mullanpur without any weather-related delays, the playoffs got underway on May 27.
However, rain in Ahmedabad caused a two-hour delay in the second qualifier between the Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings on June 1. Some supporters criticized this, questioning why the game was moved from Kolkata, particularly since the weather in Ahmedabad was as unpredictable.
“People should not look for any politics here, the matches that have been shifted. This decision was not politically motivated,” Shukla told news agency ANI.
Without the disruption brought on by the India-Pakistan conflict, he clarified, the IPL would have gone ahead as planned, with the playoffs in Hyderabad and the final in Kolkata on May 25. However, the updated schedule raised serious concerns about Kolkata's weather projections.
"Broadcaster too said that the weather in Kolkata is predicted to be bad on the said days, there is likely to be rainfall, the match can be washed out, and they would suffer heavy losses. They requested a venue where the rainfall is less likely,” Shukla said.
Shukla additionally stated that multiple venues were assessed, including Delhi, Lucknow, Chennai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Chandigarh, and Ahmedabad. It was decided to move the matches to Chandigarh and Ahmedabad since weather projections showed that these cities would see the least amount of rainfall.
“It was not just about Kolkata. We had to change venue many times in the past as well. So, this is nothing new… So, there is no political conspiracy here… Inaugural ceremony was held in Kolkata,” Shukla added.
Here is the video:
#WATCH | On #IPL2025 final venue changed from Eden Gardens in Kolkata to Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla says, "People should not look for any politics here, the matches that have been shifted. This decision was not politically motivated. Had… pic.twitter.com/7fsSy7k40L
West Bengal government criticized the decision to move the IPL playoffs from Kolkata to Ahmedabad. State Sports Minister Aroop Biswas on Sunday evening reiterated allegations of political influence in the venue change.
“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,” Biswas said in a statement. 
(ANI inputs)
By Jatin Sharma – 02 Jun, 2025
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