The ongoing Indian Premier League 2025 has been suspended due to tensions between India and Pakistan. However, this is not the first time IPL has been suspended mid-way through. During the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in 2021, the tournament was halted and resumed in September later in the year. Former England cricketer Dawid Malan predicts that if the showpiece event does not resume in a week, it will have to be moved to September yet again because of India’s upcoming marquee Test series against England.
“If it doesn’t happen in India or Sri Lanka in a week’s time like that, I suppose they will start in September. They got a massive Test series coming up against England in a few months’ time, and the has to finish before that or start after that; logistically, it is quite a headache for the organisers. I guess they have to wait and see how next week plays out in terms of the safety concerns of players and people of both countries,” Said Dawid Malan, speaking on Al Arabiya.
The five-match Test series beginning on June 20 makes it one of the earliest starts for India in the English summer, with their last two Test tours mostly being played in the months of August. The five Tests will be played at Headingley, Edgbaston, Lord’s, Old Trafford and the Oval from June 20 to August 4.
“It’s not the first time it has happened with the IPL, not in terms of severity, that has been going on between the two countries, but COVID hit back in 2020/2021, and they moved the IPL to the UAE midway through. There are options they have played in South Africa before. Realistically, if they have to start in a week, they have to do it in India or the UAE. South Africa wouldn’t be an option, considering it will be winter there,” he added.
Earlier, former England player Michael Vaughan said that the league could be finished in the United Kingdom in case it couldn’t continue in India. “I wonder if it’s possible to finish the IPL in the UK .. We have all the venues and the Indian players can then stay on for the Test series .. Just a thought?,” Vaughan tweeted.
