A rare sight welcomed IPL 2025 fans on television when the Eden Gardens‘ stands looked fairly vacant during the toss between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Thursday (April 3). One of the most iconic stadiums in the world and home of the much-loved defending champions, Eden Gardens is famous for offering some of the best sporting atmospheres even for the less relevant matches. The stands seemed more full as the match progressed and the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) announced that the official attendance was 34,000. However, fans couldn’t help but feel ‘stunned’ by the initial pictures. Most of them blamed the ‘exorbitant’ ticket prices for the match. According to reports, the CAB has increased the prices for some blocks by up to 350% for the general as well as premium sections. Check the top reactions here: Stands empty in defending Champions KKR’s own homeground Eden Gardens? pic.twitter.com/flI5o8ZhWk — TukTuk Academy (@TukTuk_Academy) April 3, 2025 I’m here present at Eden and it’s 80% filled up. Only 1 stand (Hangpan) is empty because of the price range, the price range of those seats are very high for no reason. Hangpan stand seats doesn’t have a very fascinating view. pic.twitter.com/CUx7OpKLWU — Ayaan 🪢 (@ayaan251008) April 3, 2025 Why are eden stands empty? Might be due to the ticketing scam. — Nishant ? (@_Crick_Nishant) April 3, 2025 Empty stands !!! — POOJA DUBEY (@poojavdubey) April 3, 2025 So, Eden Gardens (KKR) increased the price of Tickets & the result is Half Empty Eden Gardens. This is how you respond ?? Don’t go to the stadium because of these exuberant prices, let them suffer & they’ll drop the price eventually. All other Team fans should learn #KKRvsSRH pic.twitter.com/kAc5ts1Cqa — WTF Cricket (@CricketWtf) April 3, 2025 The price of this match was ostensibly high. They have reduced it for matches onwards. Plus, the loss at Mumbai was sapping. Someone needs to inspire Kolkata and its people so that we make a beehive again. I travelled last year, flew from Delhi to CCU to watch KKR. This time… — Amrit Pradhan (@amritpradhan63) April 3, 2025 Stunned to see so many empty seats at Eden Gardens today. — Gurkirat Singh Gill (@gurkiratsgill) April 3, 2025 Around 30-40 percent of the Eden gardens is empty 🥲 How the fortress has crumbled ? No Indian star player is affecting the crowd pull? Never seen such scenes that too in Eden !! pic.twitter.com/Nc9MrsHafq — Joe (@RioSrvn) April 3, 2025 So sad, Eden Gardens (KKR) increased the price of Tickets & the result is Half Empty Eden Gardens. This is how lesson is needed?? Don’t go to the stadium because of these exuberant prices, let them suffer & they’ll drop the price eventually.#KKRvsSRH #EdenGardens #IPL2025… pic.twitter.com/ZTxtQopHtE — Rama Shanker Chaurasia (@realestate_007) April 3, 2025 Despite the controversy, KKR sealed a massive 80-run victory over Pat Cummins’ visitors. They scored an excellent 200 in the first innings, despite not having the best powerplays. In the second innings, the opening combination of Vaibhav Arora and Harshit Rana opened the SRH batting line-up up before Varun Chakaravarthy’s three wickets closed the game.