BCCI shortlists three venues for IPL 2025; Eden Gardens unlikely to host final: Report

BCCI shortlists three venues for IPL 2025 (BCCI Photo)

Three venues have been shortlisted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), provided the Indian government authorises the continuation of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season in May. Due to growing tensions between India and Pakistan, the 18th edition of the T20 event was halted for a week on Friday. The Indian cricket board has selected Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad to host the final 16 IPL 2025 matches, including the playoffs, according to a report in ESPNcricinfo.

Eden Gardens may not host the IPL 2025 final as originally scheduled if this ultimately occurs. According to the initial plan, Qualifier 1 and the Eliminator were to be held in Hyderabad, while Qualifier 2 and the Final were to be held at the Eden Gardens.

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The report, however, does not specify if the BCCI has set a deadline for making a decision on whether it may restart. But as mentioned in it, the BCCI notified the franchise executives of this decision informally on Friday. It also stated that if the government does not give the BCCI permission to start the IPL 2025 season again in May, some franchise officials said that the rest of the season can be played later in the year.

The largest obstacle for the Indian cricket board would be to bring back the international players, who have already begun leaving for their home countries, even if the event had to take place in May. If the tournament can begin in May 2025, there is currently no assurance that all of the international stars will visit India for the same.

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Cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan led the IPL governing council to decide to stop the competition. The IPL 2025 season has been halted for one week, according to a statement issued by the BCCI on Friday. The new schedule and venues will be revealed shortly.

In all, 57 IPL 2025 matches have been played. After 10.1 overs of play, Thursday's 58th game of the season between the Delhi Capitals (DC) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) was called off. If this match will be repeated when the tournament recommences is unknown. Other than the four playoff games, there are twelve league games left. Originally, the final was scheduled for May 25, 2025.

Given that the World Test Championship (WTC) final between Australia and South Africa is scheduled to begin on June 11 at the Lord's Cricket Ground, the board must act swiftly if it wishes to resume the tournament in May.