Kolkata, May 23, 2025 — The decision to shift the IPL 2025 final from Kolkata’s iconic Eden Gardens to Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium has sparked a major political controversy in West Bengal, with state Sports Minister Aroop Biswas accusing the central government of deliberate discrimination and politicisation of sporting events.
Addressing the media on Thursday, Biswas alleged that the move was driven by political bias rather than logistical or weather-related concerns, as cited by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). “There is no better stadium than Eden Gardens. Even if it rains, matches can resume within half an hour — no other stadium in the country has this level of readiness. Shifting the final to Ahmedabad under the pretext of weather is simply a cover for a pre-determined decision,” he said.
Eden Gardens, regarded as one of the most prestigious cricket venues in the world, was expected to host the grand finale this year. However, this marks the third final in four years to be staged at the Narendra Modi Stadium, prompting questions from several quarters.
Biswas challenged claims made earlier by Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar, who had cited “law and order concerns” as a possible reason for the venue change. “That claim is completely false and baseless. The IPL Governing Council has not mentioned any security threat. These are excuses meant to undermine Bengal,” he said. Biswas also questioned why the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) leadership remained silent and urged them to voice their protest.
Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Verma also dismissed the law and order claims, saying, “There has never been a single security issue at Eden Gardens. Seven matches were conducted peacefully this season. Historically, matches in Kolkata have always been smooth. The narrative being spun is part of another agenda.”
Biswas didn’t stop at cricket. He used the platform to voice broader concerns of political marginalisation, claiming the state has repeatedly been deprived of central assistance, from sports to flagship government schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, rural infrastructure development, and the 100-day employment program under MGNREGA.
“We are owed ₹1.87 lakh crore by the Centre. They continue to deny us rightful funds. But the people of Bengal have responded before and will do so again,” he said. In a curious turn of events following the press briefing, Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar deleted his earlier post on X (formerly Twitter), where he had claimed the match was moved due to law and order concerns.
The controversy has brought fresh attention to the recurring pattern of IPL finals being hosted at the same venue and intensified the ongoing political tussle between the Centre and the Trinamool Congress-led state government. With the final now scheduled in Ahmedabad, the debate over the role of politics in sports administration is expected to grow louder in the days ahead.
