Ahead of the playoffs, which will occur across three venues — Mullanpur, Dharamsala, and Ahmedabad — the league’s format remains intact. The decision to move the final marks a significant departure from tradition, as Bengaluru was originally slated to host this climactic match.

Key dates:

• Qualifier 1 will take place on May 26 at HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala.
• The Eliminator is set for May 27 at New International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh.
• Qualifier 2 follows on May 29 at the same venue.
• The final is scheduled for May 31 at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

This marks the fourth time in five years that Ahmedabad has hosted the IPL final — a trend that raises questions about regional favoritism. BCCI officials explained, “Bengaluru was originally designated to host the Final. However, owing to certain requirements from the local association and authorities that were beyond the scope of BCCI’s established guidelines and protocols, the venue has been shifted and reassigned.”

The playoffs will be conducted across these venues due to special operational and logistical considerations. Observers note that this shift may impact fan attendance and overall atmosphere during the playoffs.

As anticipation builds for the playoffs, teams like Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings gear up for critical matches. The outcome of these games could set the stage for an intense showdown in Ahmedabad come May 31.

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