The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is set to resume on May 16 or 17 after the ceasefire agreement on India-Pakistan border. The first match on resumption will be played between Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at Ekana Stadium instead of the abandoned game between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Delhi Capitals (DC) in Dharamsala.
A source told Sports Tak that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has informed all the stakeholders and the franchises. The board has asked all franchises to call back their overseas players and support staff at the earliest. The LSG side is expected to assemble by May 13. Similarly, other franchises will reach their respective venues.
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Meanwhile, there is a change in the venues for playoffs as well. While the Qualifier 1, 2 and Eliminator's venue has not been changed, the final may be shifted from the Eden Gardens, Kolkata to Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The final will be played on May 30 or June 1.
Ponting's pep talk calms down anxious PBKS players
Players of all franchises have returned home. PBKS' head coach, Ricky Ponting has played a major role in calming down players during the escalation on the India-Pakistan border.
"It shows Ponting's character. Only he could have pulled that off," Punjab Kings CEO Satish Menon told PTI about Ponting's pep talk to overseas players.
Marcus Stoinis, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis and Xavier Bartlett have gone back to Australia. Meanwhile, Marco Jansen is in Dubai and can return ahead of PBKS' next game when the revised schedule is announced.
"The foreign players are not used to something like this (war like situation). So, it was natural for them to feel anxious. Led by Stoinis, they all wanted to leave at the earliest and understandably so. But Ponting has convinced them to stay back post ceasefire which I think is remarkable," a source told PTI