The IPL home match of the Kolkata Knight Riders versus the Lucknow Super Giants scheduled for April 6 at Eden Gardens is expected to be postponed because the city police have not provided security clearance due to the Ram Navami festivities.
BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari has earlier announced that over 20,000 processions will take place across West Bengal on Ram Navami, resulting in increased security needs throughout the state.
After holding two rounds of conversations with the city police CAB president of Calcutta, Snehasish Ganguly confirmed ‘the go-ahead’ was not in the hands of the authorities for the match.
“They have categorically said they will not be able to provide adequate security. Without police protection, it is impossible to accommodate a stadium crowd of 65,000,” Snehasish said.
“BCCI has already been informed, and there is still time to make a decision.” A clash between KKR and LSG, owned by RPSG Group chairman Sanjiv Goenka, was thought to sell well because both franchises have good local following. Even last year there was an IPL game scheduled on Ram Navami and it was rescheduled for that reason.”
“Last season there were also issues with the IPL game with KKR and Rajasthan Royals because of security issues on Ram Navami,”
The 2025 IPL season is set to kickt off at the Eden Gardens on the March 22, where defending champions KKR will face off against Royal Challengers Bengaluru,
IPL opening ceremony
This will be followed by a lavish opening ceremony that will last 35 minutes. Other dignitaries are also expected to be present, including ICC chairman Jay Shah.
Snehasish went on to say that this will be a top tier match that will completely sell out, “Eden Gardens is set to host an opening ceremony after a long time,” he wouldn’t spoil the details about the opening ceremony but did confirm that it is set to be quite grand.
