IPL 2024: RCB Cancels Practice Not Due To Terror Threat But Heat Concerns

Fact Check: Ahead of the IPL 2024 Eliminator between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Wednesday (May 22), reports emerged that Bangalore cancelled their practice session as there was a terror threat to Virat Kohli.

This came after the arrest of four ISIS terrorists on Monday at the Ahmedabad International Airport. The Sri Lankan nationals were in regular touch with a person in Pakistan and were planning terrorist attacks in India, the Gujarat ATS said.

The arrest was made days after the Ahmedabad airport also received a bomb threat. Four IPL teams arrived in the Gujarat city on Monday for the IPL 2024 playoffs. While Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) locked horns in the Qualifier 1 on Tuesday (May 21) at the Narendra Modi Stadium, RCB and RR will be playing in the Eliminator at the same venue.

As the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad was occupied due to IPL 2024 Qualifier 1 on Tuesday, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Rajasthan Royals were given the option to train at the University Ground.

Cricket Next has reported that RR trained at the venue from 4 PM to 6 PM IST, however RCB decided to skip the session without any explanation, leaving many intrigued. The comments by Gujarat Police fuelled fire to the rumours of RCB cancelling their practice session due to terror threats to RCB and Virat Kohli.

"Virat Kohli learned about the arrests after arriving in Ahmedabad. He is a national treasure, and his security is our utmost priority," said Vijay Singha Jwala, a police officer said as quoted by Mint.

"RCB did not want to take a risk. They informed us that there would be no practice session. Rajasthan Royals were also informed about the development, but they had no problems going ahead with their practice," he added.

But multiple websites have now confirmed that the practice session was not cancelled due to any terror threat, instead the team opted to rest their players, keep them fit and away from heat waves in Ahmedabad. Notably, the IMD has already predicted severe heat waves in Ahmedabad. The temperature there is hovering around 45 degree celsius.

"We were not told about any terror threat by the RCB. They canceled the training before the suspects were arrested. We made arrangements for both RR and RCB at the University Grounds, and RR even trained in the evening hours. So many spectators attended the match last evening in Ahmedabad, and there is no reason to panic," a Gujarat Cricket Association official told Cricket Next.

A BCCI official also confirmed to the website that the pre-match press conference was not held as KKR vs SRH was being hosted at the venue on Tuesday.

"Had there been a press conference, it would have been announced as if it were done for all games. There was nothing scheduled at the venue because a match was going on," said a BCCI official.

India Today have reported that RCB were also given the option to have an indoor training session but they declined the offer due to excessive heat. The team has won six matches on the bounce, and are seemingly looking to keep their players fit and fresh before the all-important Eliminator.

RCB vs RR: Security arrangements beefed up

Regardless, security arrangements at the hotel where RCB players are staying have been beefed up. The Rajasthan team also travelled amid high security for their practice session. Heavy security was deployed around the stadium for the entire duration of their practice.