IPL 2025 Set to Resume Amid Ceasefire, Overseas Players May Be Given Free Choice to Return
With a ceasefire agreement now in place between India and Pakistan, the suspended IPL 2025 season is poised for a resumption later this week. However, uncertainty still looms around overseas participation, as IPL franchises may allow their foreign players the freedom to decide whether they wish to return for the second half of the tournament.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had announced a sudden one-week suspension of IPL 2025 on Friday in response to escalating cross-border tensions. Although the situation has since eased, the BCCI has not yet issued formal communication to the franchises regarding the revised schedule or venue details.
A team CEO, speaking to RevSportz, confirmed that no overseas player would be forced to return.
“We will not push anyone and will leave it to them. Yes, this is a force majeure, an unforeseen event which is beyond anyone’s control,” the official said.
The term “force majeure” refers to an extraordinary circumstance, such as war, natural disaster, or political unrest, that releases involved parties from legal or contractual obligations. This clause effectively overrides BCCI’s earlier 2025 regulation, which stated that any player who withdrew from the IPL after being picked at the auction would face a two-season ban. With the force majeure clause in effect, that rule becomes moot for this situation.
Teams Await Official Word
As of Sunday, May 11, IPL teams remained in a holding pattern, awaiting formal instructions from the BCCI. A key meeting between BCCI officials and representatives of the central government is expected on Monday, where discussions about venues, logistics, and the timeline for resuming the final 16 matches—including the four playoffs—are likely to be finalised.
Sources have indicated that the BCCI is keen on wrapping up IPL 2025 within this month, making the upcoming days critical for planning and player movement.
Overseas Player Participation Still Unclear
While no franchise has yet contacted its overseas players as of Monday morning, multiple team officials have indicated they will wait until exact dates and venues are confirmed before making a move.
Despite the uncertainty, early reports suggest that most overseas players are open and willing to return, provided safety concerns are fully addressed and scheduling is clear.
This unique situation presents both logistical challenges and opportunities for IPL franchises, especially with key matches and playoff berths still on the line.
As IPL 2025 gears up for a likely restart, fans, teams, and players across the globe await the BCCI’s official green light to resume one of the world’s biggest cricketing spectacles.
