Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has reacted to the BCCI\u2019s call to relocate the IPL 2026 playoffs and the final from Bengaluru to Ahmedabad, saying it was disappointed by the move while also underlining that the M Chinnaswamy Stadium is ready to host major matches. The KSCA response came within hours of the BCCI confirming Ahmedabad as the venue for the IPL 2026 final, with the state body asserting that it had already communicated its readiness to stage the marquee games.<\/p>\n
In its official clarification, KSCA said it had formally conveyed its \u201cpreparedness, willingness and keen interest\u201d to host the fixtures. \u201cKSCA expresses its disappointment that the IPL Playoff matches have been allotted to other centres,\u201d the association said. The board also pointed to the involvement of KSCA president and former India fast bowler Venkatesh Prasad, stating that he had directly engaged with the BCCI over Bengaluru\u2019s chances to retain the hosting rights.<\/p>\n
KSCA noted that Prasad had \u201cpersonally been in touch\u201d with the Board of Control for Cricket in India regarding the matter and had also \u201cformally conveyed KSCA\u2019s preparedness, willingness, and keen interest in hosting the IPL Playoffs at the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.\u201d<\/p>\n
The clarification followed the BCCI\u2019s release of the playoff schedule earlier in the day, which confirmed the shift of the IPL 2026 final from Bengaluru to Ahmedabad. The BCCI cited \u201ccertain operational and logistical considerations\u201d for the change. In the media advisory, BCCI honorary secretary Devajit Saikia explained that while Bengaluru had been the original choice for the final, the venue was moved after demands from the local association and authorities that fell outside the BCCI\u2019s established guidelines and protocols.<\/p>\n
Although the BCCI did not spell out what those requirements were, KSCA pushed back by stressing the quality of operations in Bengaluru during the ongoing season. The state body said the matches played at the Chinnaswamy Stadium this year had been widely praised for their smooth execution, crowd management, operational efficiency, and the overall experience for spectators. KSCA also claimed it had already sent the BCCI a detailed explanation of the operational structure it uses for IPL matches, and asserted that most arrangements and protocols have been followed consistently since the league began in 2008.<\/p>\n
KSCA further maintained that the same approach was applied during the current season as well, including during earlier playoff fixtures held in Bengaluru.<\/p>\n
Even with the shift announced, KSCA said it had not received the \u201cspecific reasons\u201d behind the decision in a formal way. The association added that while the detailed rationale had not been communicated to it by the BCCI, it fully respects the board\u2019s prerogative and authority when it comes to making such determinations.<\/p>\n
The development has reignited debate because Bengaluru\u2014home of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the defending champions at the time of the discussion\u2014had been expected to stage the IPL final at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. Instead, Ahmedabad\u2019s Narendra Modi Stadium will host the title match for the fourth time in five seasons. The stadium was also the venue for the final in 2022, 2023 and 2025.<\/p>\n
There has been additional speculation around the reason for the change, with reports earlier pointing to an administrative tangle involving ticketing at the Chinnaswamy Stadium as a factor. The implication was that the board decided to return the title clash to a ground that hosted the 2025 final.<\/p>\n
With the BCCI\u2019s schedule now set, fans will be watching closely to see how Ahmedabad shapes up for IPL 2026\u2019s biggest day, while KSCA continues to make its case that Bengaluru\u2019s operational readiness for high-profile fixtures remains fully in place.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has reacted to the BCCI\u2019s call to relocate the IPL 2026 playoffs and the final from Bengaluru to Ahmedabad, saying…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":7848,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_title":"KSCA Reacts to IPL 2026 Final Shift to Ahmedabad","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"KSCA expresses disappointment after BCCI shifts IPL 2026 playoffs and final from Bengaluru to Ahmedabad, insisting M Chinnaswamy Stadium is ready.","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7849","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ipl"],"yoast_head":"\n