As the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) plans to resume IPL 2025 following a temporary suspension due to escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, questions remain over the availability of several key overseas players. With the World Test Championship (WTC) final scheduled to begin on June 11 at Lord's, the timing of the IPL's resumption could cause conflicts for players preparing for international duties.
The IPL was suspended on May 9 for a week after cross-border tensions escalated, but the ceasefire announced on May 10 has raised hopes for a potential resumption. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has confirmed that the board is closely monitoring the evolving situation and will consult all stakeholders, including franchises, broadcasters, sponsors, and state associations, before making a decision on the restart date.
With 13 league matches remaining before the playoffs, and the final initially scheduled for May 25, the resumption of the tournament will depend on government approval and the availability of players. Several overseas players and coaching staff had already left India following the suspension, and getting them back if the league restarts in the next week presents a logistical challenge for teams.
One of the key players in question is Josh Hazlewood of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Hazlewood, who was recovering from a shoulder injury, had been ruled out of RCB's previous match against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on May 3 and was unlikely to return even if the IPL hadn't been interrupted. Cricket Australia (CA) isn't concerned about his injury, and Hazlewood is expected to be included in the Australian Test squad for the WTC final, with a conditioning camp scheduled in the UK ahead of the match.
Other Australian players, such as Test captain Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Travis Head, will also have to decide whether to return to India if the IPL resumes. While Cummins and Head are unlikely to play for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), who have already been eliminated from playoff contention, Starc's team, Delhi Capitals (DC), remains in the race for the playoffs, currently sitting in fifth place. Starc and several other players were among those who traveled by road and train from Dharamsala to Delhi after their May 8 match against Punjab Kings (PBKS) was abandoned.
In addition, most of New Zealand's players have already returned home, with only Mitchell Santner and Bevon Jacobs staying on to play for Mumbai Indians (MI). Santner and Jacobs agreed to remain in India at the request of New Zealand Cricket.
South African players' participation will depend on the outcome of a Cricket South Africa board meeting. The board had issued No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for players until May 25, but safety and security concerns remain a priority. South Africa is set to play a warm-up match against Zimbabwe in the first week of June as part of their preparations for the WTC final.
The BCCI's decision on when to resume IPL 2025 will ultimately depend on consultations with all parties involved, and the availability of overseas players will play a significant role in shaping the outcome.