Decision to hold final in Ahmedabad was based on scientific inputs: BCCI

**Decision to hold final in Ahmedabad was based on scientific inputs: BCCI

The IPL Governing Council (GC) meeting on May 20 involved studying weather patterns across the country to decide on the venue for the four playoff matches. Hyderabad and Kolkata were the original designated hosts, but the situation shifted due to rising tensions and conflict at the border, and weather patterns.

The BCCI entered the GC meeting with weather forecasts for all IPL cities. Kolkata had a 65% chance of rain, while Ahmedabad's projection was just 3%. Based on this, the GC decided to move the final to Ahmedabad.

The BCCI clarified that the decision was based purely on scientific inputs. "The decision was never political. We have banked on scientific material and inputs. There was no forecast for rain in Ahmedabad at the time of the GC," said Devajit Saikia, the BCCI secretary.

Heavy rain lashed Kolkata on Tuesday night while the final was underway at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Ahmedabad experienced a light drizzle earlier in the afternoon, but there was no interruption during the 40-over contest between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings.

Qualifier 2 was affected by the weather, with the match delayed by two hours on Sunday (June 1) – ironically, on a day when Kolkata enjoyed clear weather.