‘We relied on scientific data and analysis’ – BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia explains selection of Ahmedabad as IPL 2025 final venue

Given the impending dangers from weather and geopolitical tensions, the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 final ended without any problems, which was a huge relief. However, to make sure the event went through its entire duration, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had to make wise decisions, conduct thorough planning, and analyse scientific data.

Before deciding on the locations for the playoff matches—Qualifier 1, the Eliminator, Qualifier 2, and the Final—BCCI officials found themselves acting as meteorologists during the May 20 IPL Governing Council (GC) meeting, researching national weather patterns.

The original plans were for Hyderabad and Kolkata to host the playoffs. But the issue has to be reevaluated because of a week-long hiatus brought on by escalating border tensions and changes in the weather.

With weather predictions for every IPL city, the BCCI entered the GC meeting.

While Ahmedabad predicted a three percent probability of rain, Kolkata’s Eden Gardens, the intended location for the final, had a 65 percent possibility. Consequently, the council made the decision to relocate the final to Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium.

The relocation to Ahmedabad was rumoured to be a political choice. The day following the final, however, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia addressed these worries and stated that the decision was made solely on the basis of scientific evidence.

“It was never a political decision. We relied on scientific inputs and materials. Saikia stated, as cited by Cricbuzz, “at the time of GC, there was no forecast for rain in Ahmedabad.”

Notably, on the evening of June 3, as the IPL final was taking place in Ahmedabad, Kolkata was drenched by a lot of rain. The match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) went on without any problems despite a slight drizzle in Ahmedabad that afternoon.

The weather did not completely ruin the Qualifier 2. Ironically, Kolkata had bright skies on June 1st, despite the rain causing a two-hour delay in the play. The Mumbai Indians (MI) vs. PBKS match proceeded without a single over being lost in spite of the delay.