'IPL should end now': Mitchell Johnson slams BCCI for ‘coercing’ overseas stars, cites South Africa’s predicament

Mitchell Johnson slams BCCI for ‘coercing’ overseas stars as IPL 2025 restarts (BCCI Photos)

Former Australia pacer Mitchell Johnson said that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was pressuring foreign players to commit to playing in the IPL 2025. After being stopped last week owing to a military confrontation between India and Pakistan, the league is scheduled to resume on May 17. The availability of foreign players was one of the main issues all teams faced after the BCCI officially declared the league's return on Monday night. Most, if not all, of the foreign players returned home the day after the league was suspended; very few even took multi-leg flights.

Johnson, who has played in the league for six seasons from 2013 to 2018, was not pleased with the Indian board's alleged increased pressure on foreign cricket boards to make their players available for the remaining IPL 2025 season.

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"If I had to make a call whether to head back to India and finish the tournament, it would be an easy decision. It's a no from me. Lives and safety are the most important thing, not pay cheques. It's a personal decision. No one should be coerced or feel pressured into going back, even if the IPL and Pakistan Super League, which has also been halted, push hard for it. Both tournaments should just end now or consider moving, which then becomes a huge financial issue," he wrote in his column for The West Australian.

Following the BCCI's decision to restart the league, which resulted in the final being moved from its initial May 25 date to June 3, pressure was placed on overseas boards, few of which had international matches scheduled. The most significant of those is the World Test Championship final between South Africa and Australia, which will start at the Lord's on June 11.

With just Pat Cummins and Travis Head committing to return, both of whom have three games remaining, and their team SRH already eliminated from the playoffs, Australia has less concerns. In contrast, Cricket South Africa is in a difficult situation.

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Johnson emphasized the CSA's powerlessness in granting the BCCI's demand, despite Proteas coach Shukri Conrad's statement that they must have their players back by May 26.

"While Cricket Australia has empowered players to make their own decisions, the weight of those choices can be heavy. Opting not to play could lead to disappointment or even professional and financial repercussions down the track, but prioritising safety is first and foremost. Hearing accounts of the challenges faced in those regions only underscores the need for caution. It's reported that players are weighing up the potential risks and the broader implications of their decisions. Ultimately, the choice should be about what feels safest and most right for each individual, rather than just a commitment to a franchise or winning a tournament," he wrote.

"Let's not forget that some Australian and South African players will need to prepare for the upcoming World Test Championship final. With the IPL final now pushed back to June 3, just a week before the WTC final starts at Lord's, the impact on players' preparation for what is supposedly as Test cricket's showpiece match is another issue.

"South Africa appear to be taking a much harder line with their players than Australia, which is interesting given the financial ties between India and South Africa through the SA20 competition," he added.