BCCI hopeful of swift IPL 2025 resumption amid border tensions

The BCCI is currently focused on restarting the IPL later this month and isn’t entertaining suggestions for a reschedule in August or September. Ever since the suspension of the IPL 2025 season, speculation has swirled over when the remaining fixtures might be played. While August and September have been floated—despite India's tour of Bangladesh and the uncertain status of the Asia Cup—BCCI insiders maintain that May is still the target. “We’ve paused the league for just a week. Right now, we’re not planning beyond that,” a top BCCI official told Cricbuzz on Friday night. “We mean business. Keep an eye on the next three days.” The official BCCI statement reads: “The remainder of the ongoing TATA IPL 2025 has been suspended for one week with immediate effect. Revised schedules and venues will be shared following a detailed assessment in coordination with stakeholders and authorities.” The board’s wording hints at a belief that the conflict that caused the suspension may soon subside. In an ideal scenario, the BCCI hopes to wrap up the 16 remaining matches in a compressed 12-day span, with multiple double-headers. This optimism hinges on a potential ceasefire in the border conflict. If peace is restored, the league will resume on a fast-tracked schedule. If not, the board could invoke force majeure. The suspension was officially declared during a brief virtual Governing Council meeting at 10:45 am on Friday, likely with prior discussions involving the government. One major concern remains: the availability of overseas players. Some have already left or are preparing to depart. The BCCI, however, considers this a franchise-level issue. As for other possible windows, an August restart would interfere with both the Bangladesh tour and The Hundred in England, which features nine players contracted to IPL teams. September presents a similar problem with the CPL, where eight West Indies players are currently involved. Though the CPL has previously adjusted its calendar upon BCCI request, the board isn't eyeing that option yet—regardless of the Asia Cup's fate. Reaffirming its stance, the BCCI stated, “While cricket is a national obsession, nothing is more important than our nation’s sovereignty, integrity, and security. We stand firmly with efforts to protect India and will always prioritize national interests in our decisions.” In the meantime, the BCCI discreetly organized the evacuation of the Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals, and key staff from Dharamsala. The group was bussed to Jalandhar and then transported to Delhi aboard the Vande Bharat Express.