The IPL 2025 fixture between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), scheduled for April 6 at Eden Gardens, is expected to be rescheduled due to security concerns. The Kolkata police have not granted security clearance for the match, as it coincides with the Ram Navami celebrations. BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari had earlier announced that more than 20,000 processions would be held across West Bengal on that day, leading to increased security demands.
Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president Snehasish Ganguly confirmed that discussions with the city police resulted in authorities declining to provide the necessary security measures. “They have clearly stated they won’t be able to deploy sufficient personnel, making it impossible to manage a crowd of 65,000 without police protection,” Ganguly stated.
The CAB has informed the BCCI about the situation, and a final decision on the match’s rescheduling will be made soon. A similar situation arose last year when a KKR match against Rajasthan Royals had to be rescheduled due to security issues during Ram Navami.
Packed Schedule for Eden Gardens in IPL 2025
Eden Gardens is set for a busy IPL 2025 season, with KKR playing multiple home matches at the iconic venue. The stadium is expected to witness a high turnout of passionate cricket fans, particularly for the match against LSG, as both teams enjoy strong local support. KKR, under the leadership of Ajinkya Rahane, aims to maintain their dominance as defending champions.
The demand for tickets for the KKR vs. LSG match was reportedly high before the security concerns arose. Given the logistical challenges of organizing a match of this scale without adequate security, shifting the fixture to a later date or an alternate venue remains a possibility.
Grand Opening Ceremony at Eden Gardens
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the April 6 match, IPL 2025 is set to begin with a grand opening ceremony at Eden Gardens on March 22. The season opener will feature a clash between defending champions KKR and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). A dazzling 35-minute opening ceremony is planned, with performances likely from popular singer Shreya Ghoshal and actress Disha Patani.
The event is expected to be attended by key cricketing figures, including ICC chairman Jay Shah and other dignitaries. CAB president Snehasish Ganguly highlighted the significance of the occasion, stating that this would be the first major opening ceremony at Eden Gardens in a long time. However, he refrained from revealing further details about the event.
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