IPL restart: Final to be pushed back, players asked to reassemble

IPL restart: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is planning to extend its IPL till May 30 when the tournament resumes after the suspension.

The BCCI is contemplating to host the remaining matches in the three venues — Chennai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad from May 16.

The new schedule will be released to the IPL franchise by Sunday night even as few of them have expressed their concern about the availability of their overseas players who have all flown back home.

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“As the IPL was suspended for a week, there is a possibility of the IPL final now being played on May 30 instead of May 25 with limited venues. The schedule will be sent to all IPL teams by tonight,” source in the BCCI informed.

According to reports, the 2025 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), which was suspended for one week on Friday, May 9, is all set to restart on Thursday (May 15) or Friday (May 16).

After the ceasefire announcement by the Indian government, BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla said, "With the new development of a ceasefire, the BCCI, IPL Governing Council, office bearers, and officials will meet tomorrow to discuss the situation.”

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“We will review the tournament schedule and determine the best possible way to complete it. All aspects, including venues, which were originally decided during the time of conflict, will be reconsidered…A final decision will be taken shortly,” the BCCI functionary added.

On the possibility of hosting IPL 2025's remaining matches in South Indian cities like Chennai, Hyderabad, and Bangalore, Shukla said, “That was an option when the war was going on, the South Indian option. There are many options which are being discussed, but just now the ceasefire has been announced. Give some time to us, and we will discuss with other office bearers and governing officials, only then the decision will be taken.”

Earlier reports had suggested that the Indian cricket board was keen to hold the IPL in May, given that the Indian team is due to tour England in July for a five-match Test series. Additionally, conducting the tournament in August or September would mean that it would clash with either The Hundred (putting the availability of English players in doubt) or the Caribbean Premier League (putting the availability of West Indian players in doubt).

However, the biggest challenge in front of the Indian board is the availability of foreign players, most of whom have either already left for their native countries or are either in the process of returning.

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