IPL 2025 Restart: Final likely to shift, franchises asked to recall players

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is considering pushing the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 final to May 30 as it works toward resuming the tournament following a temporary suspension.

The league, which came to a halt due to security concerns arising from border tensions, is now expected to restart from May 16 with matches being played across three key venues — Chennai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad.

A revised fixture list is set to be shared with the franchises by night of May 11, a BCCI insider confirmed. “As the IPL was suspended for a week, there is a possibility of the IPL final now being played on May 30 instead of May 25 with limited venues. The schedule will be sent to all IPL teams by tonight,” the source stated.

Franchise teams, with the exception of Punjab Kings, have been instructed to regroup at their respective venues by Tuesday. The board has also urged franchises to coordinate return travel for their overseas players and support staff, most of whom had departed for their home countries after the suspension was announced on Friday.

There are 12 league matches remaining, in addition to the playoffs and the final, which alone require nearly a week to complete. Given the two-week window left, the BCCI is exploring the possibility of organizing additional double-headers to fit the entire slate of matches into the condensed timeline.

“All franchises have been told to inform its team to report to their respective destination by Tuesday,” reiterated a board official, underlining the urgency.

IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal confirmed that the league could resume promptly, citing geopolitical developments as a key factor. “Ceasefire has just been announced. We now explore the possibility of resuming and concluding the IPL. If it is possible to conduct it immediately… We need to work out the venue dates and everything, and we would now be speaking to all the stakeholders, including team owners, broadcasters, and everyone involved and find a way as to how to move forward. Most importantly, we will have to consult with the government,” Dhumal told The Indian Express.

Originally, the board had paused IPL proceedings due to rising tensions along the India-Pakistan border, with the match between Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings on Thursday being called off in Dharamsala. The floodlights at the HPCA Stadium malfunctioned, but the decision to suspend the game was based on broader security concerns, Dhumal clarified, describing it as a precautionary measure.

The final decision regarding match venues will be finalized only after thorough consultation with government authorities to ensure safety and logistical feasibility.