The stage is set for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, kicking off on March 22. The inaugural match will feature Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) taking on Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at the iconic Eden Gardens stadium. However, a scheduling twist has emerged, with the KKR vs Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) match initially slated for April 6 at Eden Gardens potentially being shifted to Guwahati.
The reason behind this possible venue change lies in the city’s packed cultural calendar. April 6 marks the celebration of Ram Navami, a significant religious event in Kolkata, with multiple festivities planned across the city. The local police have expressed concerns about providing adequate security for the match on this day. As a result, the Bengal Cricket Association, led by president Snehashish Ganguly, has been in talks with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to explore alternative arrangements.
Ganguly revealed that the association had requested the BCCI to reschedule the match, citing the logistical challenges posed by the concurrent events in Kolkata. While an official statement from the IPL is still awaited, rumors suggest that the match might be relocated to Guwahati’s Barsapara Cricket Stadium. This venue has already been designated as the second home ground for the Rajasthan Royals, who are set to play two matches there – against KKR on March 26 and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on March 30. If the KKR vs LSG match is indeed shifted to Guwahati, it would become the third IPL 2025 match to be played at this stadium.
The 18th edition of the IPL will feature 10 teams competing in a total of 74 matches across 13 venues. The tournament’s opening match and the final will both be held at Eden Gardens, with the Qualifier 2 also taking place at this revered stadium. As the countdown to the IPL 2025 begins, fans are eagerly anticipating the thrilling action that awaits them.
