Security concerns are looming over the IPL 2025 match scheduled between the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on April 6 at Eden Gardens, leading to the likelihood of its rescheduling.
The local police have denied security clearance for the match due to the coinciding Ram Navami celebrations, which are expected to involve over 20,000 processions across West Bengal, as announced by BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari.
Security Concerns
The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president, Snehasish Ganguly, confirmed that after discussions with city police, it was made clear that adequate security could not be provided for the event.
He stated, “If there’s no police protection, accommodating a 65,000-strong crowd becomes impossible”. This situation mirrors last year’s IPL when a match was similarly rescheduled due to security issues arising from the same festival.
Communication with BCCI
Ganguly has communicated these developments to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), emphasizing that there is still time for a final decision regarding the match’s status.
He noted that the CAB has proactively addressed these concerns well before the scheduled date.
Upcoming Matches and Events
The IPL 2025 season is set to commence on March 22 with KKR facing Royal Challengers Bengaluru in a highly anticipated opener, featuring a grand 35-minute opening ceremony with performances by notable artists like Shreya Ghoshal and Disha Patani.
The KKR vs. LSG match is expected to attract significant local support, further complicating the rescheduling process due to its potential popularity among fans.
As of now, the situation remains fluid as stakeholders await a definitive decision from BCCI regarding how to proceed with this high-profile match amidst heightened security requirements across the state.
