world of cricket this week Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) By IPL 2026 There was a stir after the sudden announcement regarding the playoff venues. While Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium was announced as the host of the grand final to be held on May 31, the exclusion of Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, home of the defending champions, has raised questions across the world.
Devjit Saikia clarifies why Ahmedabad was selected for IPL 2026 final
Breaking the silence on this controversy, BCCI Secretary Devjit Saikia finally revealed the administrative tension behind this high-level transfer. According to Saikia, this decision was not based on infrastructure or logistics, but Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) Due to a significant dispute over the free ticket allocation requested by.
At the heart of the transfer is a strict protocol from the IPL Governing Council. Speaking to ANI, Saikia clarified that each host association gets 15% of the total seating capacity as free tickets. This standard ensures an appropriate balance between commercial ticket sales for fans and the needs of local stakeholders.
However, an investigation into the league stage matches held in Bengaluru revealed that the KSCA was allegedly operating well outside these limits. When the BCCI requested formal details ahead of the summit clash, the state association’s response was shocking.
“We were surprised at the response we received via email from KSCA on May 2. He said that in addition to the 15% quota, they would need a significant additional allocation for members and affiliated clubs,” Saikia said.
The most shocking revelation was related to the special demand for 700 free tickets for the Karnataka government, along with dedicated blocks for local MLAs and MLCs. In total, the KSCA demanded approximately 10,000 additional tickets over its legal limit, which the BCCI considered unsustainable for a high-revenue event like the IPL final.
Ahmedabad secures summit clash, confirms playoff schedule
After talks stalled in Bengaluru, the BCCI swiftly decided to move the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, to host the final. It is the largest cricket stadium in the world, providing the necessary scale and administrative compliance for the pinnacle moment of the 19th edition.
The transfer has completely reshaped the knockout stage of the tournament. IPL 2026 playoff schedule Now it is like this:
- Qualifier 1: On 26th May at HPCA Stadium, Dharamshala.
- Eliminator: On 27th May at Maharaja Yadvindra Singh Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur.
- Qualifier 2: In Mullanpur on 29th May.
- Final: On 31 May at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.
While KSCA has expressed deep disappointment over losing the hosting rights, BCCI’s stand has been clear. By prioritizing transparency and following the 15% protocol, the board is attempting to send a clear message to all state associations about the business integrity of the league. For Bengaluru fans, it’s a bittersweet experience, but for Ahmedabad, the stage is set for another historic night under lights.
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