IPL: Ready to resume but will the fans, foreign players be back?

The hurry with which the BCCI moved in to resume the rest of IPL 2025, which was suspended last week in view of the escalating India-Pakistan conflict on the border – can seem rather unsettling. The uncomfortable question on the back of it is if the fans have it in them to flock to the venues so soon while the likely absence of a large chunk of overseas players may rob the showpiece of it’s sheen.     

“The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is pleased to announce the resumption of the TATA IPL 2025. After extensive consultations with government and security agencies, and with all the key stakeholders, the Board has decided to proceed with the remainder of the season,” the official press release said late on Monday evening. A total of 17 matches, starting 17 May (Saturday), will be played across six venues with the final on 3 June – the revised schedule including two double-headers to be played on two Sundays.

When IPL, the biggest moneyspinner for Indian cricket, was suspended on 9 May on the back of the abandonment of Punjab Kings versus Delhi Capitals game, the initial buzz was that BCCI could be looking at a September window when the scheduled Asia Cup could be dropped to squeeze in the last leg of the IPL. However, the heartening news of the ceasefire last Saturday saw the BCCI again get into a huddle with it’s stakeholders and it was there that they took the decision to resume the tournament at the earliest.

There have been muted questions on whether it’s a bit ‘insensitive’ to resume the event so soon after the conflict – what with the near embarrassment of an ongoing match at Dharamshala being called off as the organisers had to comply with blackout instructions in a border city. A few private videos, circulating on social media, actually shows the siren going off in the middle of Punjab Kings innings.

Informed sources, however, feel it was not merely the BCCI and the government nod which paved the way for an early resumption. ‘’It was pressure from the owners to complete the tournament as a new start would have meant more financial drainage for them. Then it’s a commitment to the official broadcasters to provide all 74 games while the Asia Cup also cannot be cancelled at the drop of a hat as the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) also have a lucrative TV deal,’’ sources told National Herald.

However, what is not under the control of the franchises and the BCCI is that they may have to give their best without at least 60-70% of the overseas stars – who are not keen on reporting for duty again and it’s the force majeure clause in their contracts which will spare them for any ban like England’s Harry Brook invited for opting out for personal reasons.  A force majeure is a contractual clause that excuses individuals/parties from fulfilling their contracts in case of an extraordinary event that is beyond their control.

A few key international fixtures in end-May and June are also coming in the way of players returning for IPL – the England vs West Indies ODI series between May 29 and June 3 is coinciding with the final four matches of the IPL. The World Test Championship (WTC) final between Australia and South Africa, scheduled at the Lord’s, will also need their key players on duty for the franchises to be back for the preparations.

Jos Buttler (GT), Phil Salt (RCB), Jacob Bethell (RCB), Liam Livingstone (RCB), Will Jacks (MI) and Reece Topley (MI) are expected to be in the England team, and as per the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) guidelines, all contracted players should make themselves available for international fixtures. Overseas cricket boards release their players for the IPL for a two-month window from the third week of March to the third week of May.

The West Indies, meanwhile, may need Romario Shepherd (RCB), Shamar Joseph (LSG) and Sherfane Rutherford (GT) in their ODI squad.

Then, with the World Test Championship final between Australia and South Africa starting on 11 June, the likes of Pat Cummins & Travis Head (SRH), Mitchell Starc (DC), Josh Hazelwood (RCB), Josh Inglis (PBKS), Aiden Markram (LSG), Kagiso Rabada (GT), Ryan Rickelton (MI), Kwena Mphaka (RR) Marco Jansen (PBKS) and Tristan Stubbs (DC) may be drafted in for adequate red-ball preparation time before the title showdown.

Cricket Australia has, meanwhile, left the ball in their players' court. "Following the announcement that the IPL will resume on Saturday, Cricket Australia will support players in their individual decisions whether to return to India or not," they said in a statement.

 In another interesting development, the BCCI has left the choice of venues for the three qualifiers and the final in limbo – in what’s a departure from the original fixtures. Hyderabad was the chosen venue for the first qualifier and eliminator, while Kolkata was the default choice to host the final (as the home venue of last year’s champions Kolkata Knight Riders) and the second qualifier.

Final in Ahmedabad?

However, the revised schedule has no venues marked against the final four matches – with a strong possibility of the final being moved to the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The last-minute change of plans is reported to be because of the possibility of monsoon hitting Kolkata around that time, but the CAB top boss is non-committal.

‘’The venues of the second qualifier and final, as far as we are concerned, are yet to be decided. We are in talks with the BCCI and a clearer picture will emerge soon,’’ said Snehashis Ganguly, the CAB president.

IPL 2025 Revised schedule

17 May 2025 : 7:30 PM IST – RCB vs KKR, Bengaluru

18 May: 3:30 PM IST – Rajasthan Royals vs Punjab Kings, Jaipur

18 May: 7:30 PM IST – Delhi Capitals vs Gujarat Titans, Delhi

19 May: 7:30 PM IST – Lucknow Super Giants vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, Lucknow

20 May: 7:30 PM IST – Chennai Super Kings vs Rajasthan Royals, Delhi

21 May: 7:30 PM IST – Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Capitals, Mumbai

22 May: 7:30 PM IST – Gujarat Titans vs Lucknow Super Giants, Ahmedabad

23 May: 7:30 PM IST – Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs SunRisers Hyderabad – Bengaluru

24 May: 7:30 PM IST – Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals, Jaipur

25 May: 3:30 PM IST – Gujarat Titans vs Chennai Super Kings, Ahmedabad

25 May: 7:30 PM IST – Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Kolkata Knight Riders, Delhi

26 May: 7:30 PM IST – Punjab Kings vs Mumbai Indians

27 May: 7:30 PM IST – Lucknow Super Giants vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru

IPL 2025 Playoffs schedule

29 May: 7:30 PM IST – Qualifier 1

30 May: 7:30 PM IST – Eliminator

1 June: 7:30 PM IST – Qualifier 2

3 June: 7:30 PM IST – Final