Quiet Ahmedabad on the Eve of IPL 2025 Qualifier 2
Hotel rooms are easily available in Ahmedabad, and the streets are calm outside the Motera Stadium. Unlike past events, such as the England-New Zealand ODI in 2023 or the Gujarat Titans vs Chennai Super Kings IPL final, there is no chaos or overcrowding. Even ticket touts are scarce, with one reportedly arrested on Friday for attempting to sell 60 tickets at INR 5,000 each. The atmosphere is noticeably quieter and more controlled for these two final IPL 2025 matches.
Teams Arrive and Assess Pitch
Mumbai Indians (MI) flew into Ahmedabad on a chartered flight by 4 a.m. immediately after winning the Eliminator. Their coaching and medical staff conducted an unscheduled inspection of the pitch and tested injured fast bowler Deepak Chahar’s fitness.
Reece Topley was the only other MI player present, indicating Richard Gleeson may miss Qualifier 2. If Chahar’s left leg cannot handle the strain, Topley could be a replacement.
Punjab Kings (PBKS) had been in Ahmedabad longer, arriving from New Chandigarh on Thursday. They conducted a calm training session where legspinner Yuzvendra Chahal appeared on track for a comeback. Wearing protective gear on his wrist, Chahal participated in football drills, catching, throwing, and bowled a few overs in the empty nets. Other PBKS bowlers practiced yorkers using markers placed at the crease ends.
Weather and Pitch Conditions
Three spells of light drizzle briefly interrupted PBKS’s session but did not halt their training. MI, arriving unscheduled, could not examine the pitch as the square had already been covered by the time Mahela Jayawardene and Kieron Pollard reached.
Chahar completed his session without discomfort but remained cautious due to Ahmedabad’s challenging venue for hamstring injuries. The long walk to the dressing room and limited elevator access mean recovery will depend on how he feels the following morning.
Jayawardene eventually assessed pitch No. 7 on the 11-pitch square, slightly off-center. The red-soil track had previously supported successful defenses: GT defended 217 against RR, and CSK defended 230 against GT. These results suggest batting first may be a strategic option. Dew, usually not significant in Ahmedabad, could not be evaluated due to drizzle.
Anticipation Builds
Covers were removed for just five minutes, but groundsmen worked with urgency. In the stands, performers rehearsed to Jai Ho. While the exterior remains calm, inside the Motera Stadium, the excitement for Qualifier 2 was palpable—a true testament to the high stakes of the IPL 2025 clash.