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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has moved swiftly to address the uncertainty surrounding the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, which was suspended earlier this week due to escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. With 16 matches, including the playoffs and final, still left to be played, the BCCI has now shortlisted three potential venues to host the remainder of the tournament, should the situation in India remain unstable.
Suspension of IPL 2025 due to security reasons
The IPL 2025 was abruptly halted on May 9 after the 58th league match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals was called off midway for security reasons. The decision, taken in consultation with franchise representatives and key stakeholders, was aimed at ensuring the safety of players, officials and fans. The league, which began on March 22, was originally scheduled to conclude with the final at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens on May 25.
With the suspension in place, the BCCI has been exploring contingency plans to ensure the successful completion of the season. The remaining fixtures include 12 league matches and four playoff games, a critical phase in the tournament that determines the champion of the world’s most lucrative T20 league.
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BCCI shortlists three venues for the remainder of IPL 2025
Given the ongoing security concerns, the BCCI has identified three cities as potential hosts for the remaining matches: Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad.
However, the plan will only be put into action if the tournament resumes in May.
According to ESPNcricinfo, BCCI officials are exercising caution regarding the resumption of the IPL season. The report indicates that the league’s fate is tied to an improvement in the military situation between India and Pakistan; should tensions persist, the tournament could be held later in the year. A potential resumption in May also raises concerns about the availability of overseas players, many of whom have reportedly returned home due to security reasons. Of the three cities currently shortlisted as potential venues, only Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) remains in contention for the playoffs. With Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) already eliminated, resuming matches in these specific cities could give RCB a significant home advantage during the playoff stage.
