Revealed: How Harbhajan Singh Hijacked IPL 2025 Playoffs for New Chandigarh

Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh reportedly played a key role in convincing the BCCI to conduct the IPL 2025 playoffs matches in New Chandigarh.

While the playoffs and the final were scheduled to be played in Hyderabad and Kolkata, the games will now take place in New Chandigarh and Ahmedabad. When IPL resumed after a one-week hiatus, the BCCI allocated the remaining games to six venues - Bengaluru, Jaipur, Delhi, Lucknow, Mumbai and Ahmedabad.

With both Kolkata and Hyderabad not included among the venues, it was very much expected that the playoffs and final wouldn't be conducted at those two venues. At the same time, not many were expecting New Chandigarh to get any playoffs games.

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However, the BCCI eventually decided to allocate two playoffs matches to the New PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh. The venue will host the first qualifier and the Eliminator, while the second qualifier and the final will be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

"Hyderabad and Kolkata were initially supposed to host the last four games before the one week suspension of the tournament. The new venues for the Playoffs were decided by the IPL Governing Council keeping in mind the weather conditions and other parameters," the BCCI said in a media release.

'Harbhajan Singh pushed hard for it'

According to reports, Harbhajan Singh played a decisive role in the New PCA Stadium earning the hosting rights for the playoffs matches. The former India spinner went great length to convince the top brass of the BCCI of the stadium’s suitability to host the matches in the present weather conditions.

"Harbhajan pushed hard for it. He convinced key decision-makers that New Chandigarh is ready, both in terms of facilities and audience enthusiasm. He wasn’t just lobbying; he was deeply involved in inspection visits, pitch discussions, and logistical planning," a source told IANS.

Harbhajan Singh is currently the Chief Cricketing Advisor of the Punjab Cricket Association. The former cricketer-turned-commentator has been actively promoting cricket in the region after retiring from the game as a player.

Meanwhile, the first qualifier will be played on May 29, while the Eliminator will take place on May 30. The second qualifier will be played on June 1 before the final takes place on June 3.

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