Sources: 
The West Bengal government has openly accused the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) of political bias after the Indian Premier League (IPL) playoff and final matches were relocated from Kolkata to Gujarat.
The BCCI justified the move by citing satellite data and meteorological assessments predicting a high likelihood of rain in Kolkata during the scheduled period. This data was used as the primary reason to shift the matches to Gujarat.
"Today, it is clear that cricket fans in Kolkata have been unjustly deprived of this significant sporting event due to political motives," stated a government official, highlighting the state's dissatisfaction with the decision.
Critics from West Bengal also pointed out that the relocation violated IPL rules, which state that the previous year's champions' home ground should host the final. This rule was reportedly ignored, further fueling allegations of political interference.
"Biswas had said last week that the BCCI's decision violated the IPL's rule that the previous year's champions' home ground will host the final," underscoring the controversy.
The controversy has sparked debate over the impartiality of the BCCI and raised concerns about the influence of political considerations in sports administration. The West Bengal government’s accusations suggest a deeper conflict between regional pride and national sports governance.
As the IPL is one of the most-watched cricket tournaments globally, the relocation decision has disappointed many fans in Kolkata who were eager to witness the playoffs and final on home turf.
The BCCI, however, maintains that the decision was purely based on weather forecasts and logistical concerns, denying any political bias.
This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between cricket authorities and regional governments in India, reflecting the complex interplay of sports, politics, and public sentiment.
Sources: West Bengal government accused the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) of political bias after the IPL final was moved from Kolkata to Gujarat. The BCCI cited satellite data predicting rain in Kolkata, but the state government claims cricket fans were unfairly deprived due to political motives.
