Green light for IPL 2025, but foreign player dilemma looms large

IPL 2025 set to resume, but question mark over the availability of foreign players. (Photo: ICC)

While announcing the resumption of the IPL 2025, the BCCI said: “The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is pleased to announce the resumption of the TATA IPL 2025. After extensive consultations with government and security agencies, and with all the key stakeholders, the Board has decided to proceed with the remainder of the season.”

It added: “A total of 17 matches will be played across 6 venues, starting May 17, 2025, and culminating in the final on June 3, 2025. The revised schedule includes two double-headers, which will be played on two Sundays.”

Also Read - IPL 2025 new schedule: League to resume on May 17, final on June 3, find full fixture details with venue

The playoffs would be on May 29, 30 and June 1, while the final is scheduled on June 3.

Now, on May 9, when the BCCI had announced the suspension of the remainder of the IPL “with immediate effect for one week” in the wake of the cross-border conflict, it informed the franchises to be ready to reassemble their players and support staff at short notice. But the teams disbanded and the overseas players took the next available flights to their respective countries for obvious reasons.

Credit to the BCCI for the quick resumption of the tournament, which was subject to Indian government permission, but teams are likely to be depleted on the home stretch.

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There is a question mark over the return of a lot of overseas players, for their international commitments will start from the final week of this month. The IPL was originally scheduled to end on May 25, and now the delay will see the ODI series between England and West Indies, to be played from May 29 to June 3, coincide with the final four matches of the IPL.

Jos Buttler (GT), Phil Salt (RCB), Jacob Bethell (RCB), Liam Livingston (RCB), Will Jacks (MI) and Reece Topley (MI) are expected to be in the England team, and as per the England and Wales Cricket Board’s guidelines, all contracted players should make themselves available for international fixtures. Overseas cricket boards release their players for the IPL for a two month window, from the third week of March to the third week of May.

The West Indies, too, might include Romario Shepherd (RCB), Shamar Joseph (LSG) and Sherfane Rutherford (GT) in their ODI squad.

Then, with the World Test Championship final between Australia and South Africa starting on May 11, the likes of Pat Cummins (SRH),Travis Head (SRH), Mitchell Starc (DC), Josh Hazelwood (RCB), Josh Inglis (PBKS), Aiden Markram (LSG), Kagiso Rabada (GT), Ryan Rickelton (MI), Kwena Mphaka (RR), Marco Jansen (PBKS) and Tristan Stubbs (DC) will be needing adequate red-ball preparation time before the title showdown.

“We will not push anyone and will leave it to them,” a franchise CEO told this correspondent. “Yes, this is a force majeure, an unforeseen event which is beyond anyone's control.”

A force majeure is a contractual clause that excuses individuals/parties from fulfilling their contracts in case of an extraordinary event that is beyond their control.

Ahead of this year's IPL, the BCCI introduced a new rule, saying that if a player voluntarily withdraws himself from the tournament after being picked at the auction, he will be banned from participating in the auction/IPL for two seasons. Accordingly, Harry Brook, bought by Delhi Capitals for Rs 6.2 crore at the mega auction, was handed a two-year ban after he pulled out of this year's tournament.

A force majeure makes the rule redundant.