BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia gave a point-by-point rebuttal to the claims made by Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar over the controversy regarding IPL finale. Saikia claimed that Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) wanted “above the 15% complimentary ticket quota”, dismissing the government’s claim that the venue was changed due to logistical challenges.
Reacting to the questions from the media, Saikia, while sitting in Guwahati, said, “As per IPL protocol, we are required to provide only 15% of the total seating capacity as complimentary tickets to the host association.”
“However, we were shocked. The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) stated that—over and above the 15% complimentary ticket quota—they would require approximately 10,000 additional tickets,” added the former Assam cricketer and Advocate General of Assam.
Why was KSCA demanding more than 10,000 complimentary tickets?
On May 6, Shivakumar claimed that the change in venues of IPL 2026 playoffs was because of logistical reasons and not due to extra demand of VIP tickets, as stated in media.
Denying the claim, Saikia explained that KSCA led by Venkatesh Prasad had demanded at least 700 VIP tickets for the finale.
“Most surprisingly, they also requested tickets for their local Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) and Members of the Legislative Council. And also to the government of Karnataka, 700 complimentary tickets,” Saikia said.
Do state associations give complimentary tickets?
Saikia, who has served as the president of the Assam Cricket Association as well, confirmed that 15 percent tickets are actually allocated to state associations to be given as complimentary tickets.
“All host state associations receive a 15% allocation of their total capacity in the form of complimentary tickets,” said the 57-year-old.
RCB will not be able to defend their title at home thanks to politics!
What could have been a golden chance for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to become the third team after Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians in IPL history to defend their title, and that too, to do it at home, was robbed off them because of certain VIPs needing more complimentary tickets.
“Initially—in accordance with standard protocol—the defending champions are entitled to host the Final, as well as one playoff match, at their home venue. RCB was the defending champion last year; therefore, this match should have ideally been held in Bangalore. However, due to certain circumstances arising from recent developments, the BCCI and the IPL were compelled to make the decision to shift the venue away from Bangalore,” confirmed the BCCI Secretary.