The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is poised to resume on May 17, following a week-long suspension prompted by escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has now confirmed that the season finale will be played on June 3, three days later than originally planned.
The unexpected pause came after rising hostilities led to a partial blackout near Dharamsala during a mid-game fixture between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals. The match was eventually called off, and the league suspended. However, with a ceasefire announced shortly thereafter, the BCCI moved quickly, consulting with government officials before rolling out a revised schedule.
The tournament will recommence in Bengaluru on Saturday, May 17, as Royal Challengers Bengaluru take on Kolkata Knight Riders. The action continues with a double-header on May 18, with Rajasthan Royals taking on the Punjab Kings in Jaipur, and Delhi Capitals squaring off against Gujarat Titans in Delhi.
Six cities will now host the remaining league fixtures, namely Bengaluru, Delhi, Jaipur, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Lucknow. However, cities like Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata, initially considered safe alternatives, will no longer see league-stage matches due to logistical and weather-related concerns. Play-off venues, initially awarded to Hyderabad and Kolkata, remain undecided, though Ahmedabad is now the frontrunner, with the possibility of another city sharing hosting duties.
The Punjab Kings have been hit hardest by the revised plan. They lose their home advantage as both remaining home matches originally scheduled in Dharamsala have now been shifted to Jaipur’s Sawai Mansingh Stadium. The rescheduled match against Delhi Capitals, which was interrupted mid-way on May 8, will now take place on May 24.
In a bid to manage player workload amid rising summer temperatures, the BCCI has trimmed the number of double-headers. Only two are scheduled, both on Sundays (May 18 and May 25). Several teams, including Royal Challengers Bengaluru, have seen slight schedule tweaks. RCB’s final league match, previously slated to be at home, will now be played against Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana Stadium.
Franchise camps are already beginning to regroup. Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians have resumed training, and the rest are expected to follow by Wednesday. However, questions remain around the availability of overseas players. Many had returned home during the suspension, and while most are expected to return, there is uncertainty around Australian fast bowlers Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc. Nursing minor injuries, the duo may skip the remaining matches to prepare for the World Test Championship final against South Africa beginning June 11.
Despite the logistical reshuffle and looming questions, the BCCI is confident of steering the tournament to a safe and thrilling finish. With just over two weeks of cricket left, the race for play-offs is wide open and fans can expect the IPL’s trademark fireworks as it returns to full swing.
