"Injustice has not been done to RCB, but to Bengaluru and Karnataka youngsters": DK Shivakumar on IPL final shift to Ahmedabad
Bengaluru, June 1
Karnataka Chief Minister-designate DK Shivakumar on Monday stressed that no injustice was done to Royal Challengers Bengaluru, but felt that Bengaluru and Karnataka's youngsters were deprived as the Indian Premier League final was shifted to Ahmedabad instead of the state's capital.
As defending champions heading into IPL 2026, Bengaluru were initially set to host the final at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) later shifted the marquee match to Ahmedabad.
"Injustice has not been done to RCB. Injustice has been done to Bengaluru and Karnataka youngsters. The IPL final was supposed to be played here. But it happened in Ahmedabad. Whatever happened last time, we have all forgotten it and have started a new beginning," DK Shivakumar told the reporters.
Last month, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, while reflecting on the decision, said shifting the final from Bengaluru to Ahmedabad was taken after the Karnataka State Cricket Association allegedly sought complimentary tickets far beyond the permitted quota.
Saikia explained that, under IPL protocol, the defending champions are entitled to host the final and one playoff match at their home venue, which would have made Bengaluru the natural choice after Royal Challengers Bengaluru's title-winning campaign last season.
However, the BCCI decided to move the matches following what it described as excessive ticket demands from the state association. Saikia said that host associations are entitled to only 15 per cent of the stadium's seating capacity as complimentary tickets.
"The BCCI and the IPL announced the venues for the playoff matches. We have the Qualifiers and Playoffs, as well as the Final match. Therefore, we have selected three venues. One venue is Dharamshala; the first playoff match will take place there. Subsequently, there will be an Eliminator and another playoff match. Thus, the second and third matches will be held in New Chandigarh, while the Final is scheduled to take place on May 31st at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad," Saikia told the reporter.
Meanwhile, RCB clinched IPL 2026 glory, riding on a stunning 75* off 42 by Virat Kohli, to beat Gujarat Titans (GT) in the IPL 2026 final in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
RCB gunned down a tricky 156 runs to join five-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI) in the elite list of clubs to have won back-to-back IPL titles.
— ANI
Reader Comments
I understand the BCCI's rules about complimentary tickets, but taking away the final from Bengaluru feels like a punishment for the entire city. Our Chinnaswamy Stadium has such a rich history. Hope next time the association learns to play by the rules. 💔
Typical BCCI politics. They always favor Ahmedabad because of the giant stadium and political connections. Why not let the defending champions' home city host the final as per the rule? KSCA might have made a mistake, but the fans shouldn't suffer.
At least RCB won back-to-back titles! 🏆 But I agree with DK Shivakumar. It's the young cricketers in Karnataka who missed out on seeing their heroes play live in their home ground. The atmosphere in Chinnaswamy during playoffs is unmatched.
While I feel for Bengaluru fans, let's be fair—KSCA reportedly asked for far more complimentary tickets than allowed. Rules are rules. But the BCCI could have found a middle ground instead of shifting the entire final. Both sides need to share the blame.
As an expat living in Bengaluru, I can see why locals are upset. The city loves its cricket and RCB. It's sad that administrative issues robbed thousands of fans from experiencing a final in their own backyard. The BCCI needs more transparency in such decisions.
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