IPL 2025: Overseas Players Face Uncertainty After Match Cancellation
BCCI Addresses Concerns of Overseas Players
The vice president of the BCCI has announced that the Indian Premier League (IPL) will resume in 2025 after a one-week hiatus. However, this news has not alleviated the concerns of many foreign players, particularly following the cancellation of the match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals.
As reported by a leading news outlet, the BCCI is actively assisting players with logistical challenges. Nonetheless, decisions regarding their future participation in the league will be made later. An IPL official stated,
“They will be heading back home, we will help with all the logistics but every foreign player and members of the support staff will be headed back to their respective country. Depending on what is decided in the future, a call will be taken on them returning for the league. But as now, they will be headed back home.”
The official further added,
"All players will be headed back home, including the overseas players."
Read also: PBKS vs DC Abandoned: BCCI Acts Amid Security & Power Woes
Mumbai Indians to Depart for Home
Teams such as Royal Challengers Bengaluru have already sent their players back to their homes. Currently, the team is in Lucknow, where players have been leaving individually.
In contrast, the Mumbai Indians will first return to Mumbai before heading to their respective residences.
The match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharamshala was called off due to rising security issues. Initially, it was attributed to a sudden power outage and floodlight failure. However, Rajeev Shukla later emphasized the seriousness of the situation, noting that Pakistan had initiated attacks at the border, reaching Pathankot, which is only 85 kilometers from the stadium.
In light of the cross-border tensions and in support of the Indian Armed Forces, the BCCI announced the suspension of the IPL this morning. The HPCA confirmed that a regional power failure had disrupted the match, leading to its cancellation. Fans were evacuated swiftly, with Arun Dhumal urging everyone to remain calm. Both teams were awarded a point, although Punjab was performing strongly at 122/1 in 10.1 overs. With widespread blackouts across northern India, the future of IPL 2025 remains uncertain.