IPL 2025 to Resume After Suspension Following India-Pakistan Conflict

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, which was suspended following the India-Pakistan military conflict, is now likely to resume on or around May 16 or 17. The suspension followed after the India-Pakistan tension caused a one-week suspension of the tournament from May 9. The declaration of a ceasefire on Saturday has enabled the IPL to resume its momentum. Talks among the IPL Governing Council members and officials of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are continuing to seal the resumption plans.

The IPL governing board is in the process of organizing a new schedule, though it has been made evident that the league will proceed with the match between Lucknow Super Giants and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. This match was initially to be played on May 9 but will now be rescheduled for either May 16 or 17 in Lucknow. BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla said the officials are making efforts to restart the tournament as quickly as possible. As per reports, the tournament is expected to be played at four venues, with Delhi and Dharamsala not hosting any additional matches as equipment has already been taken out.

The biggest change may come in the way of the IPL final. Though Kolkata was originally set to host the final game, there are fears that rain could ruin the event on June 1. Thus, the final could be shifted to Ahmedabad instead. But the rest of the tournament stages, such as Qualifier I and Eliminator, will go on in Hyderabad unchanged. The BCCI is continuing to consult with the franchises, broadcasters, sponsors, and state associations concerned before deciding on the schedule.

As part of the realignments, the IPL has resolved the matter of the match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals that was abandoned. Owing to the conflict, the game was suspended when Punjab Kings were at 122 for 1 in only 10.1 overs. The match can be considered as a no-result with one point to both the teams. It means that if four grounds are used to organize the rest of the matches, teams such as Delhi Capitals, Rajasthan Royals, and Mumbai Indians will lose their home games.

The remaining 16 IPL matches will be played in five cities: Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Lucknow. CSK, RR, and SRH are already out of playoff contention, and now the battle for the first four playoff positions is intensifying among seven teams. Gujarat Titans are presently at the top with 16 points and a Net Run Rate (NRR) of 0.793. Royal Challengers Bengaluru are also at 16 points, but their NRR is 0.482. Punjab Kings, Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Lucknow Super Giants are the other teams in the running, each hoping to make it to the playoffs.

The consultations on an ongoing basis with all parties will decide the actual timeline for the restart, and the BCCI is expected to seal the league's resumption in the next few days. The role of the IPL being crucial, the approval of the Indian government will also be a critical process before the final arrangement is agreed on.