The BCCI has announced a revised schedule for the IPL 2025, with matches resuming on May 17 and concluding on June 3.
The remaining matches of the tournament were put on hold for a week starting May 9 due to tensions between India and Pakistan. The games will now take place in six different cities: Bengaluru, Jaipur, Delhi, Lucknow, Mumbai, and Ahmedabad.
The dates for the playoff matches will be revealed at a later time. The schedule includes Qualifier 1 on May 29, the Eliminator on May 30, Qualifier 2 on June 1, and the final on June 3. There will be a total of 17 matches upon resumption, including two double-headers which will both take place on Sundays.
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The updated timetable includes a total of 17 games, consisting of 13 league matches and four playoffs. As a result, the match between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Delhi Capitals (DC) on May 24 in Jaipur will be a rematch of their previous game in Dharamsala on May 8, which was interrupted during the first innings. Jaipur will serve as the temporary home ground for PBKS.
After a two-day gap, PBKS will face off against Mumbai Indians (MI), a game that was initially scheduled to take place at their second home ground in Dharamsala on May 11. The first match of the resumed tournament on May 17 will see Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) taking on Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Bengaluru.
During the first of the consecutive double-header days, Rajasthan Royals (RR) and PBKS will face each other in the day game at 3.30pm IST on May 18th. In the evening, at 7.30pm IST, DC and Gujarat Titans (GT) will go head-to-head. The following Sunday, May 25th, GT will play against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in a day game in Ahmedabad while Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and KKR will compete in Delhi at 7.30pm IST. Lastly, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and RCB will meet on May 27th for their last league game in Lucknow.
The change in locations also results in PBKS, CSK, and SRH not being able to play at their designated home fields. Unfortunately for PBKS, who had 15 points from 11 matches and were in third place on the points table before the tournament’s suspension, the team will now have to play two of their home games at a neutral venue. Additionally, with CSK and SRH eliminated from playoff contention, all three teams will have to adjust to new surroundings.
According to the official statement, the BCCI carefully considered the input of government and security agencies, as well as all major parties involved, before confirming the restart of the tournament.
The rescheduled IPL end date will now overlap with the entire ODI series between England and West Indies, taking place from May 29 to June 3. This poses a potential conflict for Romario Shepherd (RCB), Shamar Joseph (LSG) and Sherfane Rutherford (GT), who have all been chosen for the West Indies ODI squad. While England’s team has yet to be announced, players like Jos Buttler (GT), Phil Salt (RCB), Jacob Bethell (RCB), Liam Livingstone (RCB), Will Jacks (MI) and Reece Topley (MI) may face scheduling difficulties if their teams make it to the playoffs.
The recently updated IPL schedule also shortens the time between the IPL final and the WTC final to only seven days. The Test world title will be contested by Australia and South Africa starting from June 11 at Lord’s. Both teams are expected to reveal their squads on Tuesday. Several players, including SRH’s Pat Cummins and Travis Head, DC’s Mitchell Starc and Tristan Stubbs, RCB’s Josh Hazlewood, PBKS’s Marco Jansen and Josh Inglis, LSG’s Aiden Markram, GT’s Kagiso Rabada, MI’s Ryan Rickelton, and RR’s Kwena Mphaka, who are currently playing in the IPL, are likely to be selected for the WTC final as well.
The rescheduled timeline could potentially affect the India A tour of England, set to commence on May 30 with two unofficial Tests in Canterbury and Northampton. This means that a number of backup Indian players, who may also make it to the India squad for the five-Test series starting on June 20 in England, will now be part of the IPL during the A matches.
Currently, the primary hurdle for the 10 IPL franchises is regrouping their teams and recalling overseas players and support-staff who had previously departed. GT, leading the standings, may have a smoother reunion as only Buttler and Gerald Coetzee left for home. The remaining members of their squad remain in training in Ahmedabad. Similarly, MI could also see an advantage from the new schedule with their first game not until May 21, four days after the tournament recommences.
