The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has shortlisted Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad as potential venues to host the remaining matches of the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, as reported by ESPNcricinfo. This comes after the tournament was put on hold for a week due to growing cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan.
Interestingly, major cricketing hubs like Kolkata, Mumbai, and Delhi have not been included in the shortlist. Should the Indian government grant approval to continue the competition in May, these southern cities are prepared to stage the final 16 matches of the season.
Suspension and Its Impact on Players
The BCCI’s announcement of the suspension on Friday triggered immediate action from franchises, with teams beginning to disband and players making arrangements to leave India. According to ESPNcricinfo, most overseas cricketers are expected to depart by Saturday evening.
This has presented a significant challenge for the tournament organizers, who now face the task of reassembling squads if the league resumes later in May. While team officials remain hopeful about bringing back international players, no assurances have been made regarding their availability, especially with many cricketers having other international commitments.
Future Prospects and Scheduling Challenges
Franchises are optimistic that the IPL 2025 can resume within the month of May, but the uncertainty around player availability and logistical hurdles remains a major concern. The original plan was to conclude the season by May 25, with the final slated for Kolkata’s Eden Gardens. However, with the suspension, there’s growing speculation that the remaining fixtures may spill over into a later period, though nothing has been confirmed.
Adding to the complexity is the upcoming World Test Championship final between Australia and South Africa, scheduled from June 11 at Lord’s, which will further impact player participation. So far, 57 matches have been successfully completed this season, but the 58th match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals at Dharamshala was abandoned after 10.1 overs due to the suspension.
Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.
