The IPL 2025 to Restart after a dramatic and unprecedented mid-season suspension. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), after weeks of strategic consultations with the Indian government and security agencies, has officially announced the revised schedule of the tournament. The suspension came in the wake of a serious national security event—India’s military retaliation against Pakistan following a terror attack in Pahalgam—forcing the BCCI to pause all IPL activities to prioritize the nation’s interests.
This temporary halt left fans, players, and franchises in uncertainty. However, with the recent announcement of a ceasefire, the BCCI wasted no time in confirming that the rest of the league would proceed, maintaining its commitment to delivering a complete and competitive season.
The league’s restart brings with it not just renewed excitement, but also emotional overtones, especially as cricket fans are still processing Virat Kohli’s recent retirement from Test cricket, which was announced just before India’s squad was to be finalized for the England Test series. His retirement, following that of Rohit Sharma, marks the end of an era for Indian cricket and adds emotional intensity to the remaining IPL games.
To restart the tournament with a bang, the BCCI has scheduled a blockbuster clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on May 17, setting the tone for a thrilling finish to IPL 2025. With both teams still eyeing a playoff spot, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
The final will now take place on June 3, as announced by the BCCI on Monday. Meanwhile, the suspended match between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Delhi Capitals (DC)—which had to be called off mid-game after 10.1 overs due to security concerns in Dharamshala—will now be replayed on May 24 in Jaipur.
The playoffs are scheduled as follows:
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Qualifier 1: May 29
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Eliminator: May 30
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Qualifier 2: June 1
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Final: June 3
While the venues for these high-stakes matches are yet to be finalized, the rest of the league matches will now be conducted in six key cities: Lucknow, Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, and Jaipur, down from the initially planned 12 locations. Additionally, four matches will be hosted at neutral venues to balance logistics and security arrangements.
According to the BCCI’s official statement:
“After extensive consultations with government and security agencies, and with all key stakeholders, the Board has decided to proceed with the remainder of the season. The BCCI takes this opportunity to once again salute the bravery and resilience of India’s armed forces, whose efforts have enabled the safe return of cricket. The Board reaffirms its commitment to national interest while ensuring the successful completion of the league.”
This continuation of IPL 2025 is not just a celebration of cricket—it’s a symbol of India’s resilience and love for the game. As foreign players return, venues light up, and fans pack the stands once again, this edition of IPL promises to deliver more than just cricket—it promises unity, courage, and unforgettable moments.
Match Resumption After Suspension
The abandoned match between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Delhi Capitals (DC), which was suspended mid-way due to security concerns, will now be replayed on May 24 in Jaipur.
The remainder of the league will be played at 6 venues only—Lucknow, Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, and Jaipur—instead of the initially planned 12 locations. Four neutral venue matches are also scheduled.
Revised IPL 2025 Schedule (Select Fixtures)
Date | Day | Time | Team 1 | Team 2 | Venue |
17-May-25 | Sat | 7:30 PM | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Kolkata Knight Riders | Bengaluru |
18-May-25 | Sun | 3:30 PM | Rajasthan Royals | Punjab Kings | Jaipur |
18-May-25 | Sun | 7:30 PM | Delhi Capitals | Gujarat Titans | Delhi |
19-May-25 | Mon | 7:30 PM | Lucknow Super Giants | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Lucknow |
20-May-25 | Tue | 7:30 PM | Chennai Super Kings | Rajasthan Royals | Delhi |
21-May-25 | Wed | 7:30 PM | Mumbai Indians | Delhi Capitals | Mumbai |
22-May-25 | Thu | 7:30 PM | Gujarat Titans | Lucknow Super Giants | Ahmedabad |
23-May-25 | Fri | 7:30 PM | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Bengaluru |
24-May-25 | Sat | 7:30 PM | Punjab Kings | Delhi Capitals | Jaipur |
25-May-25 | Sun | 3:30 PM | Gujarat Titans | Chennai Super Kings | Ahmedabad |
25-May-25 | Sun | 7:30 PM | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Kolkata Knight Riders | Delhi |
26-May-25 | Mon | 7:30 PM | Punjab Kings | Mumbai Indians | Jaipur |
27-May-25 | Tue | 7:30 PM | Lucknow Super Giants | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Lucknow |
29-May-25 | Thu | 7:30 PM | Qualifier 1 | TBC | |
30-May-25 | Fri | 7:30 PM | Eliminator | TBC | |
1-Jun-25 | Sun | 7:30 PM | Qualifier 2 | TBC | |
3-Jun-25 | Tue | 7:30 PM | Final | TBC |
Gujarat Titans (GT): Foreign Players – Who’s In and Who May Miss Out?
- Jos Buttler
- Gerald Coetzee
Both players had left India after the BCCI suspended IPL a few weeks back and will make a return by the 18th.
Players who stayed with the squad in India
- Rashid Khan,
- Sherfane Rutherford,
- Kagiso Rabada and
- Karim Janat
International commitments may clash, and players may take a call if required to give up some matches.
- Current Table Position – 1st
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR): Foreign Players
Players who were based in Dubai and expected to make a return
- Sunil Narine
- Andre Russell
- Rovman Powell
- Team mentor Dwayne Bravo
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz will travel back from Kabul and join the team too
- Anrich Nortje will join KKR in Bengaluru from the Maldives.
- Current Table Position – 6th
KKR needs to win their two remaining match to stay in playoff contention
Sun Risers Hyderabad (SRH)
With the team already out of the IPL playoff race, foreign players may want to join their national team for international commitments, which may clash due to the revised IPL calendar.
Many Australian players and South African players from the SRH team will feature in the World Test Championship finals and may miss some IPL games.
Punjab Kings (PBKS)
Punjab Kings overseas stars who have confirmed their return to the IPL franchise
- Xavier Bartlett
- Azmatullah Omarzai
and
- Mitchell Owen
Yet to confirm
- Marcus Stoinis
- Marco Jansen
- Josh Inglis
and
- Aaron Hardie
Many Australian players and South African players will feature in the World Test Championship finals and may be unavailable for some IPL games.
- Current Table Position – 3rd
Conclusion: IPL’s Global Pull Remains Unmatched
Despite the temporary halt, IPL 2025 is all set to deliver high-octane action, thanks to strong foreign player participation and a packed revised schedule. Franchises like Gujarat Titans, Mumbai Indians, and KKR are ready to go full strength, signaling the league’s immense popularity and organizational strength.
As we approach the playoffs, fans can expect edge-of-the-seat action and international cricket stars lighting up the stadiums once again.
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