The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has put the IPL 2025 season on hold, but whispers suggest the league could be back sooner than expected. While rumors swirl about potential rescheduling in August or September—clashing with India’s Bangladesh tour and the uncertain Asia Cup—insiders hint that the BCCI is aiming for a much quicker return, possibly within May itself.
A top BCCI source told *Cricbuzz* late Friday (May 9), “We’ve suspended the league for a week, nothing more at this stage. Stay tuned—the next three days could be crucial.”
The official statement from the BCCI announced an immediate one-week suspension, with further updates on revised schedules and venues to follow after assessing the situation with authorities. The wording suggests the board is cautiously optimistic that the border tensions—which prompted the pause—could ease soon. If so, the remaining 16 matches may still be squeezed into a tight 12-day window this month.
A ceasefire in the coming days would allow the IPL to resume with minimal double-headers. But if tensions persist, the league could face a *force majeure* scenario. While the decision was made by the IPL Governing Council in an early morning virtual meeting, it’s clear the government’s input played a role.
One major hurdle, however, is the overseas players. Many have already left or are preparing to depart. If the IPL restarts within a week, will they return? The BCCI sees this as the franchises’ responsibility to manage.
For now, the board isn’t considering an August window (which would conflict with *The Hundred*, featuring nine English IPL players) or September (overlapping with the Caribbean Premier League, where eight West Indians are currently involved). Though the CPL has adjusted dates for the BCCI before, the focus remains on an immediate resolution—not distant contingencies.
The BCCI emphasized that national security comes first, stating, *”Cricket is a passion, but nothing matters more than India’s sovereignty and safety.”*
Meanwhile, Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals, and IPL crew members were quietly evacuated from Dharamsala via bus to Jalandhar, then by Vande Bharat train to Delhi—an operation kept tightly under wraps.
As the next few days unfold, all eyes will be on whether cricket can swiftly reclaim its place—or if bigger stakes will keep the IPL on hold.
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