The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) decided to halt the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 on Friday, May 9, amid the growing cross-border tension between India and Pakistan. The IPL released a statement mentioning that the 18th edition was suspended with immediate effect for a week.
IPL chairman Arun Dhumal had said that there was no point continuing the league amid the geopolitical tension involving the two neighbouring countries – India and Pakistan. People were speculating whether the remaining season would be played outside India or in the September window, which has been reserved for the Asia Cup, which the Men in Blue will most likely opt out of.
However, as per BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, the board will spend the next 48 hours gathering inputs before holding a meeting to take a call on the league’s future. 16 games, including four playoffs, remain in the season.
“The BCCI suspended the IPL yesterday for a period of seven days, and, today, we are on the second day with five more days left. The BCCI is closely monitoring the evolving situation and developments, and will take a call on IPL resumption after consulting all stakeholders of IPL and the concerned Government authorities,” Saikia told Cricbuzz, hours after the ceasefire was announced by India and Pakistan.
Saikia said that the board will begin discussions with the IPL stakeholders in the next 48 hours after getting approval from the Government of India regarding the resumption of the league.
“In the next 48 hours, we will begin consultations with the franchises, broadcasters, sponsors and the state associations slated to host the remaining matches before crystallizing a decision on the league’s resumption. Given the importance of IPL at this juncture, it will also be prudent and necessary to take the nod of the Government of India before finalising the time for its restart. BCCI will duly announce the date of IPL restart once the whole process is over in due course of time,” Saikia said.
I’m sure foreign players would come back: Arun Dhumal
Kasi Viswanathan, the CEO of the Chennai Super Kings, said that the Men in Yellow might be out of the race to the playoffs, but they want the tournament to be completed. He asserted that they will cooperate with the BCCI regarding a restart and have already informed the overseas stars that they may have to rejoin the camp in a week.
“Although we are not in contention for a play-off berth, we want the league to be completed. The IPL is a prestigious league and we want it to cooperate with the BCCI on the matter. We have only two more games left and we have advised the overseas players that they may have to return in a week’s time,” said Viswanathan.
