The development was confirmed by Anil Patel, Secretary of the Gujarat Cricket Association, in a statement shared via PTI.
“The BCCI requested us to host the match and we have agreed. Mumbai Indians are arriving later today and the Punjab Kings have also made their travel arrangements,” Patel said.
The match, originally scheduled to take place at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium in Dharamsala, will now be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium, one of the largest cricket stadiums in the world.
This match will be the 61st fixture out of the 74 matches in IPL 2025 and will be played in the afternoon slot. With both teams in a tight contest for playoff qualification, the venue change is not expected to dampen the competitive intensity of the encounter.
As per the current IPL points table:
Punjab Kings are placed third
Mumbai Indians occupy the fourth position
Given the neck-and-neck race, the outcome of this match could have a significant impact on the playoff scenarios for both franchises.
While the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not officially cited the reason for the venue change, sources suggest that the tense Indo-Pak environment, including heightened alerts in border states like Himachal Pradesh, may have played a role in the relocation for safety and logistical reasons.
Both teams are expected to begin practice sessions in Ahmedabad shortly after their arrival.