IPL 2025 Suspension: PBKS, LSG and GT name replacements

Starc opts out of the remainder of IPL 2025

Mitchell Starc has informed the Delhi Capitals that he will not be travelling back to India for the remainder of the IPL season. Starc is in the Australian squad for the WTC Final and will be looking to take some rest before the all-important clash against South Africa. The left-arm pacer will play a huge role in the final as the Pat Cummins-led unit gears up to defend their title.

PBKS, LSG, and GT name replacements

Punjab Kings, Lucknow Super Giants, and Gujarat Titans have named replacements for their injured and unavailable players. These players will come into the contest when the IPL resumes on the 17th of May.

Lockie Ferguson for PBKS injured himself during a clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Kyle Jamieson has been named the replacement for him. The right-arm pacer will join them for INR 2 crores.

Another Kiwi pacer will join the Indian Premier League, as William O’Rourke joins the Lucknow Super Giants, replacing injured Mayank Yadav. The Indian pacer injured his back and was ruled out of the season. O’Rourke will join LSG for INR 3 crores.

GT named Kusal Mendis as a replacement for Jos Buttler, who will be leaving for national duties on the 26th of May. Buttler will be a huge miss for the Titans, with the Englishman having already scored 500 runs in the season. Mendis will join GT for INR 75 lakhs.

Cricket Australia provides a statement on players’ return

Cricket Australia broke their silence over the return of its players to the remaining IPL 2025 leg. In an official statement, CA said, “Cricket Australia will support players in their individual decisions whether to return to India or not.”

IPL 2025 remaining schedule announced

The remaining schedule for IPL 2025 was announced on May 12. The remaining 17 matches will commence on May 17, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru hosting Kolkata Knight Riders. These games will be played across six venues, while the destination for the playoffs has yet to be announced. The playoffs are set to begin on May 29, with the final taking place on June 3. 

Check out the entire updated IPL 2025 schedule.

When will IPL 2025 resume?

The BCCI conducted a meeting on Sunday, but has yet to give out an official statement. However, multiple reports suggest that the first match after the resumption of IPL 2025 could be as soon as Friday, later this week. There are 17 games remaining in the season, including the Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals which was abandoned after 61 balls of play on  the 8th May.

The reports suggest that the BCCI are considering having the remaining matches in the Southern cities of Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Chennai. Among the three cities, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Chennai Super Kings are already out of the race for the playoffs. If the board are not able to restart the tournament right away, they will have to manage to play out the remaining games in a heavily packed international calendar. While the tensions across both sides of the border are getting calmer by the day, the BCCI might find it difficult to get a quick nod from the Government of India. 

While speaking to the PTI, BCCI Secretary Devajit Sakia said, “In the next few days, we will begin consultations with the franchises, broadcasters, sponsors and the state associations slated to host the remaining matches before crystallizating to a decision on the league’s resumption.” Further, he added that approval from the Government of India will be important as the board looks to get IPL 2025 resumed. “Given that 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,” said Sakia. 

IPL 2025 Set to Resume in May Across 3 Cities

Many international players have left India as a result of the 2025 IPL season being postponed due to escalating geopolitical tensions. The BCCI is hopeful that the tournament will be finished despite the disruption. The board has selected Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad as three possible locations to host the final 16 matches in May, assuming conditions improve. The BCCI's intention to safely resume the IPL with the fewest possible logistical obstacles is reflected in this backup plan.

Will foreign players stay in India?

The safety of foreign players and commentators who were in India for the Indian Premier League remains the topmost priority for all the BCCI officials involved. While the BCCI continues to provide the best accommodations to the players when it comes to their safety, the decision to stay in the country or leave has been left solely with the players themselves. There have been no reports on whether foreign players want to leave India or not in the wake of the rising tensions. However, a couple of countries, including South Africa and Australia, have made statements regarding their players’ safety.

The latest news regarding Australian players is that there are reports that they want to go home as soon as possible. As per PTI, several Australian star players, including Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, Ricky Ponting, Brad Haddin, Marcus Stoinis, Josh Inglis, and Jake Fraser-McGurk.

Michael Vaughan proposes an out-of-the-box idea

Former English captain, Michael Vaughan, is known to voice out his opinions regarding cricket all around the world, often on social media and his podcast on YouTube. In a tweet, the former right-handed batter suggested that the remaining matches of the IPL could be held in England. The Indian test team will be travelling to England for a five-match series. The first match will begin on the 20th June, with the last match slated to be played at The Oval from the 31st of July to the 4th of August. 

In his tweet, Vaughan said, “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 ?”

If the BCCI indeed agrees to this proposal, it could be an exciting rest of the season. Not only will it allow the board to finish the 18th season of the tournament, but it will also help the players to get used to the conditions before the all-important five-match series. The India vs England series proves to be pretty vital for both teams as they start their WTC (World Test Championship) 2025-27 campaign.

BCCI’s Statement on IPL Suspension

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) gave out a statement on the suspension of the grand T20 league. Devajit Saikia, BCCI Secretary, said that the marquee T20 league has been suspended “with immediate effect for one week” on the 9th of May. He said, "Further updates regarding the new schedule and venues of the tournament will be announced in due course after a comprehensive assessment of the situation in consultation with relevant authorities and stakeholders.”

In such a situation, it is important to note that the multiple stakeholders have to be taken into consideration while making any verdict. The decision to suspend IPL for one week was taken after senior BCCI officials got on a call. Arun Dhummal, who was in attendance at Dharamsala during the match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals, was among the participants in the meeting where the final decision was made. 

"The decision was taken by the IPL Governing Council after due consultation with all key stakeholders following the representations from most of the franchisees, who conveyed the concern and sentiments of their players, and also the views of the broadcaster, sponsors and fans; while the BCCI reposes full faith in the strength and preparedness of our armed forces, the Board considered it prudent to act in the collective interest of all stakeholders," said Saika in a statement after the meeting between the officials.

The decision to suspend was unanimously reached between the participants on the call. Before the statement was issued to the public, the 10 franchises were informed.

Cricket Australia issues a statement

Cricket Australia, the board that conducts cricket in Australia, issued a statement on the morning of 9th May. In its statement, CA said, “We continue to closely monitor the situation in Pakistan and India, including obtaining regular advice and updates from the Australian Government, the PCB, BCCI and local government authorities, and maintaining communication with our players and support staff currently in the region.”

South Africa’s Andre Breetzke issues a statement

South African Cricketers' Association chief executive, Andrew Breetzke, talked about how the safety of South African players and coaches in the IPL is of utmost importance. He said, “The health and safety of players is not negotiable. We are in direct contact with all the South African players at the IPL and keeping them updated with security reports. We have offered them any support they need.”