Foreign players participating in the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) have started to leave India amidst uncertainty surrounding the tournament’s restart. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently announced a one-week suspension of the IPL, leading to international players making plans to return to their respective countries.
According to reports from ESPNCricinfo, IPL teams have begun disbanding and players are departing for their home nations. It is anticipated that the majority of overseas players will exit India by Saturday. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia stated that the decision for foreign players and support staff to return home is up to the individual franchises.
In the event that the IPL 2025 does resume in May, Southern Indian cities like Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad are being considered as potential hosts for the remaining 16 matches. However, any resumption of the tournament would need to be approved by the Indian government. The BCCI is aware of the logistical challenges, especially in terms of getting overseas players back to India if the tournament were to resume.
Franchises are uncertain whether their foreign players would be willing to return to India if the IPL 2025 season extends beyond its original end date of May 25. Many players have prior commitments, such as the World Test Championship (WTC) final scheduled to begin at Lord’s on June 11, involving players from Australia and South Africa.
As the situation continues to evolve, the future of the IPL 2025 remains uncertain, with various factors at play including international travel restrictions and player availability. The BCCI and IPL franchises are closely monitoring developments to determine the best course of action moving forward.
