Parameshwara emphasized that the allocation of tickets to MLAs was unrelated to the decision to relocate the final, insisting no issues were raised concerning security measures or the readiness of infrastructure in Bengaluru.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India announced on Wednesday that Ahmedabad will host the IPL final for the second consecutive season on May 31, replacing the previously designated venue in Bengaluru. Qualifier 1 will take place in Dharamsala, while the remaining two playoff matches are scheduled for New Chandigarh.
“There have been five matches here, and not a single security complaint has been reported. The BCCI has no issues with the arrangements. There have been no grievances from the IPL, RCB, or KSCA regarding police or administrative matters,” Parameshwara remarked.
While addressing the media, he noted, “Unofficially, we have learned that the Chinnaswamy stadium has approximately 33,000 seats, with about 7,000-8,000 designated for VIPs, sponsors, RCB, and the teams in the final. This leaves around 25,000 available passes.” He added, “Given the commercial aspect, they may have decided to move the match to Ahmedabad, which has a one-lakh-seat capacity. Discussions surrounding this have been ongoing. Although KSCA wished to hold the match here, emphasizing a principle that the first and last matches should be at the reigning champion’s home ground, perhaps the BCCI opted for an exception.”
Disputing claims that the allocation of match passes to legislators was a factor in the shift, the home minister asserted, “This is unrelated. How many passes have been distributed? What difference would four passes make?” Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar also dismissed allegations that the venue change stemmed from the distribution of tickets to MLAs, suggesting that a larger stadium in Ahmedabad might have influenced the decision.
Bengaluru was slated to host the final based on tradition, as the Royal Challengers Bengaluru are the defending champions. Aside from last year, Ahmedabad has hosted the IPL finale twice in 2022 and 2023.
BCCI clarified in a press release, “Bengaluru was initially appointed to host the final. However, due to certain requests from the local association and authorities that went beyond the BCCI’s existing guidelines and protocols, the venue has been altered.” The exact requirements in Karnataka’s capital were not disclosed.
In March, Shivakumar announced that each MLA would receive three complimentary IPL tickets, along with the provision of two free tickets for international matches, with an option to purchase an additional two, following talks with representatives from the Karnataka State Cricket Association, which oversees the Chinnaswamy stadium. This announcement sparked criticism from various quarters.
Shivakumar’s statement followed concerns raised by legislators across party lines about inadequate ticket and seating arrangements at the city’s prime venue. Subsequently, Speaker U T Khader requested that the government ensure every MLA gets four VIP tickets at the stadium during matches.
(With PTI inputs)
