Based on scientific information, the decision was made to hold the final in Ahmedabad BCCI

Everyone sighed in relief as the Indian Premier League's (IPL) 18th season ended without any more disruptions. The tournament's success was seriously threatened by both war and weather (rain), so it required careful and scientific decision-making behind the scenes, and ultimately, it appeared to be worthwhile.

BCCI executives were forced to behave like meteorologists during the May 20 IPL Governing Council (GC) meeting, carefully examining national weather trends before selecting the locations for the four playoff matches: Qualifier 1, the Eliminator, Qualifier 2, and the final.

The initial hosts were Hyderabad and Kolkata, but during the one-week break brought on by escalating border tensions and fighting, everything in the nation changed drastically, including the weather.

The BCCI brought weather forecasts for every IPL city to the Governing Council (GC) meeting. Rainfall was predicted to be 65 percent in Kolkata, the initial location for the final, and only three percent in Ahmedabad. The GC made the decision to relocate the final to Ahmedabad in light of this.

Some people said it was a political call, given the current climate in the nation. However, the BCCI explained on Wednesday, June 4, the day following the IPL final, that the decision was solely based on scientific data.

"It was never a political decision. We have relied on scientific inputs and materials. At the time of the GC, rain was not predicted in Ahmedabad, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia told Cricbuzz.

Unfortunately, while the final was taking place at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Tuesday night, Kolkata was hit by a lot of rain. There was a slight precipitation in Ahmedabad earlier in the day, but it didn't stop the 40-over match between Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. For more than four hours after nine o'clock at night, Kolkata was battered by rain and thunderstorms.

Ironically, the weather had an impact in Qualifier 2, delaying the match by two hours on Sunday, June 1, a day when Kolkata had clear skies. Despite this, the BCCI and IPL authorities expressed relief that the Mumbai Indians vs. Punjab Kings match proceeded without a single over being lost.