Following the one-week suspension of IPL, the four playoff games and the final are left with undecided hosts as the BCCI is yet to confirm the venues for the matches. Though the Eden Gardens isn't in the list of the six venues that were chosen by BCCI to host the remaining league games, the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) is still hopeful that it will be decided as the venue that will host the IPL 2025 final.
Former India cricketer and CAB administrator Sourav Ganguly revealed at a recent event that the state board is in conversation with the BCCI to bring the IPL 2025 final to the Eden Gardens. The venue in Kolkata last hosted an IPL final back in 2015.
“No, no, we’re trying—talking to the BCCI. Is it that easy to shift the final? It’s Eden’s Playoffs, and I’m sure everything will be sorted. I’m very hopeful," Ganguly said at the All India Invitation Inter-School Regetta event.
Eden Gardens wasn't selected as a host for the remainder of the IPL games as the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) had played all their seven home games before the league got suspended for a week. This went on to become a big issue as BCCI decided that the playoffs would only be hosted among the six selected venues. Earlier, the venue in Kolkata was set to host a playoff match and the final which will be played on June 3.
Fan protest took place outside the Eden Gardens
Last week, a fan protest also took place outside the stadium in Kolkata as the city ended up losing the IPL final despite KKR lifting the title in the 2024 season. However, Ganguly stated that the CAB and BCCI have a very good relationship and assured that it would help them in getting a positive result.
“Protest doesn’t help much. BCCI has a very good relationship with the Cricket Association of Bengal,” Ganguly added.
Reigning champions KKR got eliminated from the tournament on Saturday, May 17 as rain ended up washing out their encounter against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the M. Chinnaswamy stadium. The Kolkata-based franchise currently stands on sixth place with 12 points from 13 matches and wouldn't be able to qualify for the playoffs even if they ended up winning their final encounter of the season against the Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 25.