Security Issue Over IPL 2025 Match Scheduled in Kolkata
The defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders’ IPL home match against the formidable Lucknow Super Giants on April 6, Sunday slated to happen at the iconic Eden Gardens is likely to be rescheduled.
The reason for this potential rescheduling is the impending security clearance by the city police due to Ram Navami celebrations on the given day. BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari had earlier announced that over 20,000 processions will move across the state of West Bengal on Ram Navami, leading to heightened security requirements across the state.
Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) President Snehasish Ganguly, after holding two rounds of discussions with the city police on Tuesday, confirmed that authorities have not given the go-ahead for the match. ‘They have categorically said they won’t be able to provide adequate security. If there’s no police protection, accommodating a 65,000-strong crowd becomes impossible,’ Snehasish said.
“We have informed the BCCI, and there is still time to take a final call. Even last year, a fixed IPL match on Ram Navami had to be rescheduled.” The clash between Kolkata Knight Riders, co-owned by Shah Rukh Khan and Juhi Chawla and Lucknow Super Giants, owned by RPSG Group chairman Sanjiv Goenka, is expected to draw a full house, with both teams boasting strong local support.
In the previous season, the IPL fixture between KKR and Rajasthan Royals was also rescheduled due to security concerns on the occasion of Ram Navami.
The 2025 IPL season will begin at Eden Gardens on March 22, with Ajinkya Rahane led KKR taking on the first-time captain Rajat Patidar’s Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
As for the approaching big day, a stunning opening ceremony will precede the match, with likely performances by noted celebrities like Shreya Ghoshal, Karan Aujla, Shraddha Kapoor and Disha Patani.
The event is also likely to be attended by ICC chairman Jay Shah, BCCI President Roger Binny and other dignitaries.
“It’s a marquee match with full demand for tickets. Eden Gardens is set to host an opening ceremony after a long time,” Snehasish said, refusing to divulge details about the opening ceremony.
The auspicious occasion of Ram Navami, which falls during the upcoming festival period of Navratri is a highly celebrated one and so managing a large crowd in the absence of sufficient security arrangements could be risk inviting.
Further details on the revised date and location are awaited from the BCCI and CAB.
