Sunil Gavaskar Questions IPL Final Timing After Gujarat Titans’ Late‑Night Arrival in Ahmedabad

When the Gujarat Titans touched down at Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at around 1 a.m., the whole cricketing world got a glimpse of a scenario no one had imagined – a team trudging to the hotel, half‑asleep, only to be whisked off to a high‑pressure final a few hours later.

Veteran batting great Sunil Gavaskar didn’t hold back. In a candid interview he asked, “Why are we asking players to perform at their peak when they’ve just arrived at 1 a.m.? It’s not just about comfort; it’s about fairness.” His words rang out as a gentle reminder that even the sport’s biggest spectacles must keep the human element in mind.

The IPL’s organizers have long been praised for their show‑stopping extravagance, but this year’s scheduling has stirred a few raised eyebrows. The final, slated for a 7 p.m. start, means the Titans would have less than six hours between landing, hotel check‑in, dinner, a quick nap, and the intense pre‑match routine.

Critics argue that such a tight turnaround could affect not just physical performance but also mental sharpness. “Cricket is as much a mental game as it is a physical one,” Gavaskar noted, “and sleep deprivation is a real enemy.”

Supporters of the current schedule point out that the IPL has a packed calendar, and the television rights and fan expectations drive the timing. Yet, the former skipper’s plea is simple: give the players a fair chance to rest, recover, and bring their A‑game to the biggest stage.

As the buzz builds around the final, the conversation has shifted from just who will lift the trophy to how the tournament can balance spectacle with player welfare. Whether the board will tweak future timetables remains to be seen, but Gavaskar’s comment has certainly sparked a needed dialogue.