The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) unveiled a dramatically altered playoff schedule for the IPL 2025 on May 20, 2025, confirming that the season’s climax will unfold not in Kolkata or Hyderabad, but at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad — the world’s largest cricket ground — on June 3. The decision comes after a one-week suspension of the tournament triggered by escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, which forced the BCCI to relocate all remaining matches and scrap the original playoff plan. The stakes have never been higher: Punjab Kings, who’ve never topped the league table in their 17-year history, now sit at the summit, while the final showdown will be the third at the Motera stadium since 2022. All playoff matches kick off at 7:30 PM IST, broadcast live by Star Sports Network and streamed on JioHotstar.
Why the Playoffs Moved — And Why It Matters
The original playoff blueprint had Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad hosting Qualifier 1 and the Eliminator on May 20 and 21, with Eden Gardens in Kolkata slated for the final. But after the India-Pakistan crisis erupted on May 9, the BCCI suspended the tournament. No players were officially reported to have left, but diplomatic sensitivities were palpable — foreign players from nations with complex ties to either country likely faced travel uncertainty. By May 12, the governing council announced a revised plan: resume play on May 17 across six venues, and shift the playoffs to locations deemed geopolitically neutral and logistically secure. While The Times of India cited weather and logistics, the IPL 2025 Wikipedia entry explicitly tied the pause to the crisis. The move wasn’t just practical — it was symbolic. Cricket, often a bridge between nations, was now a stage where national security dictated scheduling.
The New Playoff Roadmap: A High-Stakes Calendar
The revised playoff structure follows the classic two-tier format, but with new geography and new pressure:
- Qualifier 1: Punjab Kings (PBKS) vs. Royal Challengers Bengaluru — Thursday, May 29, Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh
- Eliminator: Gujarat Titans vs. Mumbai Indians — Friday, May 30, same venue
- Qualifier 2: Loser of Qualifier 1 vs. Winner of Eliminator — Sunday, June 1, Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
- Final: Winners of Qualifier 1 and Qualifier 2 — Tuesday, June 3, Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
Crucially, no reserve days are allocated for Qualifier 1 or the Eliminator. That means rain, or even a delayed finish, could force a knock-out on the same day — a scenario that would rattle even the most seasoned franchises. The pressure isn’t just on the players. Broadcasters, security teams, and local authorities in Chandigarh and Ahmedabad are operating on razor-thin margins.
Punjab Kings: The Underdogs Who Made History
For the first time since their 2008 inception, Punjab Kings finished atop the IPL table. Their 10 wins in 14 matches — including a stunning 12-run win over Mumbai Indians on May 19 — was built on explosive batting from Shikhar Dhawan and a rejuvenated spin attack led by Rahul Chahar. The team’s rise was unexpected, even shocking to analysts who had picked them for a top-four finish at best. Their reward? A direct shot at the final — and the weight of an entire state’s hope. Meanwhile, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, despite losing key players to injury, held steady with Virat Kohli’s consistent 400+ runs and Glenn Maxwell’s late fireworks. They’re the team no one wants to face in a do-or-die game.
The Stadiums: From New to Grand
The Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh (Mullanpur) — opened in 2023 — is a modern marvel with 30,000 seats and state-of-the-art floodlights. It’s never hosted a playoff before. Now, it’s the epicenter of IPL’s most intense early knockout. Meanwhile, the Narendra Modi Stadium — with its 132,000 capacity — has become the IPL’s de facto final venue. It hosted the 2022 and 2023 finals, and this year, it will be the first stadium to host three IPL finals since the 2008 inception. The Gujarat Cricket Association, which owns the ground, has reportedly added extra security, expanded digital ticketing, and deployed AI-driven crowd monitoring. The final isn’t just a game — it’s a national event.
What’s Next? The Final Countdown
With just nine days between the start of the playoffs and the final, every hour counts. The BCCI has promised a zero-tolerance policy for delays. The league stage’s 70 matches, as confirmed by BCCI honorary secretary Devajit Saikia, were completed without major incident — a feat given the suspension. Now, the focus shifts to the playoffs. Will Punjab Kings finally break their curse? Can Mumbai Indians, despite finishing fourth, pull off another miracle? And will the Narendra Modi Stadium, once again, become the stage for a coronation?
Behind the Scenes: The Human Cost of the Pause
While the BCCI focused on logistics, the human toll was quieter but real. Young debutants like Harsh Dubey of Sunrisers Hyderabad — who played his first match on May 14 after the suspension — had their momentum interrupted. Teams lost rhythm. Coaches scrambled to reorganize training. Foreign players, particularly from Australia and the West Indies, reportedly had to rebook flights and adjust visa timelines. One unnamed agent told ESPNcricinfo: “We didn’t lose money — we lost timing. That’s harder to recover.” The suspension wasn’t just a calendar change. It was a disruption of careers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were the IPL 2025 playoffs moved from Hyderabad and Kolkata?
The original venues — Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Hyderabad and Eden Gardens in Kolkata — were replaced due to the India-Pakistan geopolitical crisis that led to a mid-season suspension on May 9, 2025. The BCCI cited security, diplomatic sensitivity, and logistical stability as key reasons. New Chandigarh and Ahmedabad were chosen for their neutral status, strong infrastructure, and proximity to central command centers for security coordination.
Why is the Narendra Modi Stadium hosting its third IPL final?
The Narendra Modi Stadium has become the IPL’s preferred final venue due to its massive capacity, modern facilities, and centralized location in Gujarat. It hosted the 2022 and 2023 finals, and its ability to manage large crowds, broadcast logistics, and security made it the safest and most efficient choice after the 2025 crisis. It’s now the only stadium to host three finals in the league’s history.
What’s at stake for Punjab Kings in this playoff run?
For Punjab Kings, this is their first-ever league-top finish — a historic milestone. They’ve never reached the final since entering the league in 2008. Winning the title would not only break a 17-year drought but also validate their aggressive rebuild under coach Trevor Bayliss. A loss here would mean another near-miss in franchise history — and potentially trigger major off-season changes.
How did the India-Pakistan crisis affect international players?
Though no official player withdrawals were announced, sources indicate that several foreign players — particularly from nations with diplomatic ties to Pakistan — faced travel uncertainty and visa complications. Some delayed their return flights, while others adjusted their schedules to avoid transit through sensitive regions. The BCCI provided charter flights and diplomatic coordination to ensure continuity, but the psychological impact on players was significant, with several citing disrupted routines and heightened anxiety.
Why are there no reserve days for Qualifier 1 and the Eliminator?
The BCCI eliminated reserve days to avoid extending the tournament beyond June 3, the scheduled end date. With the final already set at the Narendra Modi Stadium, and the league’s TV contract tied to fixed broadcast windows, any delay would disrupt global scheduling and advertising revenue. This decision adds immense pressure — a single rainout could force the Eliminator and Qualifier 2 to be played on consecutive days, creating an unprecedented logistical crunch.
Who are the key players to watch in the playoffs?
Shikhar Dhawan (PBKS), Virat Kohli (RCB), and Jasprit Bumrah (MI) are obvious stars. But keep an eye on Shahrukh Khan (GT), whose 54-ball 89 against RCB in May sparked a turnaround, and Ravi Bishnoi (PBKS), whose leg-spin has taken 19 wickets in 11 matches — the most in the league. In the final, it could come down to who handles pressure better — and that’s often the unheralded middle-order batter.