The BCCI has officially announced the resumption of the 2025 Indian Premier League, with the tournament kicking off again on May 17 in Bengaluru, as Royal Challengers Bengaluru take on Kolkata Knight Riders. A total of 17 matches will be played across six venues, leading up to the final on June 3.
The knockout stage will begin with Qualifier 1 on May 29, followed by the Eliminator on May 30, and Qualifier 2 on June 1. The final will be held on June 3, with the venues for these play-off matches yet to be confirmed. However, Hyderabad and Kolkata, which are not hosting any group-stage matches, are being considered as potential play-off and final venues.
The revised schedule includes two double-headers, both planned for Sundays. This decision comes after a week-long suspension of the tournament due to heightened cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan.
Suspended Match Replayed
The Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals match, which was abandoned midway on May 8 in Dharamsala, will be replayed in Jaipur on May 24.
Foreign Player Availability in Doubt
With the league extending into June, several international players may leave early to fulfill national duties. The World Test Championship final begins on June 7, making it unlikely for Australian and South African stars to participate in the IPL play-offs. While the Aussies might hold a training camp in England, the Proteas are expected to face Zimbabwe in a warm-up match.
Additionally, West Indies’ white-ball tour of England kicks off on May 29, which may see players like Sherfane Rutherford and Romario Shepherd leave the IPL early. England’s ODI captain Harry Brook and other key English players such as Jos Buttler may also miss the remaining games to prepare for international commitments.
Impact on India A Tour
The India A tour of England, originally scheduled to start around May 30, could also be affected. The clash with the extended IPL schedule may deny crucial preparation time for players like Sai Sudharsan, Karun Nair, Abhimanyu Easwaran, and Prasidh Krishna, all of whom were hoping to push for spots in the Test squad through this shadow tour.
