'Pakistan will not be able to handle pressure for long time': Sourav Ganguly weighs-in on IPL 2025 resumption

Sourav Ganguly backs 'efficient' BCCI to complete IPL 2025 (PTI Photo)

IPL 2025's future is presently unknown. Due to security concerns brought on by an increase in military tension between India and Pakistan that led to cross-border clashes, the BCCI chose to stop the league for a week. In the event that the IPL returns in 2025, fans and stakeholders alike are left wondering precisely when and where will it take place?

Sourav Ganguly, a former BCCI president and Indian legend, backed the national cricket board and hoped the action to resumes soon. “There is a war like situation in the country, and the BCCI had to do this as there are so many Indian and foreign players. Lets hope the IPL restarts soon, as an important stage of tournament is around the corner," Ganguly told ANI.

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The IPL still has 17 games left, including the four playoff games and the postponed PBKS vs DC match.

“BCCI had to do this, especially Dharamsala, Chandigarh, Delhi, Jaipur are all venues of the IPL. It is necessary to do this according to the situation. With time, it will get better and matches will also be played. BCCI will complete the IPL, and this situation will end very soon as Pakistan will not be able to handle the pressure for a long time,” he added.

In a different interaction with India Today, Ganguly contended that this halt was not comparable to that experienced during the Covid years when asked what steps are taken to guarantee a tournament is conducted smoothly in the face of such a stoppage.  “A situation like Covid just cannot happen again. Matches were played during Covid, and the instructions given by the Indian government, BCCI worked according to that,” said Ganguly.

In September and October of both seasons, the IPL returned and was played in the United Arab Emirates.

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Players and foreign internationals will temporarily return home after the BCCI issued an official statement announcing the tournament's suspension. All options are still open, and hosting the remaining tournament instead of the Asia Cup, which is set for September this year and whose own destiny is in jeopardy due to the tension in South Asia, is the most likely course of action.