Will BCCI Confirm the Return of Foreign Players for IPL 2025?

New Delhi, May 13 (NationPress) The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has chosen to remain silent regarding the involvement of international players in the upcoming matches of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, which is scheduled to restart on May 17 after a week-long hiatus due to the India-Pakistan conflict.

The BCCI has entrusted the franchises with the responsibility of disclosing information about the return of players who flew back to their home countries after the league was suspended on May 9, following missile and drone attacks launched by Pakistan along the border. Although these attacks were intercepted by the Indian defense forces, the BCCI opted to pause the league as a safety precaution.

The IPL 2025 will resume at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on May 17, featuring a match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Kolkata Knight Riders, with the final scheduled for June 3. A BCCI official stated, "We are not in a position to comment right now. The franchises can provide more clarity about who is returning and who isn’t," as reported by IANS.

In the meantime, the Gujarat Titans' two international players - England batter Jos Buttler and South Africa pacer Gerald Coetzee - are anticipated to rejoin the team on Wednesday.

According to a report from ESPNcricinfo, they were the only two overseas players from the GT roster who departed India following the league's suspension on May 9. Other international players, including Rashid Khan, Sherfane Rutherford, Kagiso Rabada, and Karim Janat, remained in India with the team.

The Australian duo of Pat Cummins and Travis Head are also expected to join the Sunrisers Hyderabad team before the IPL 2025 resumes on May 17. Both players have confirmed their willingness to return to the franchise.

Both players were selected for Australia's Test squad for the World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord's, commencing on June 11. This has raised questions about their participation in the IPL, especially since SRH had already been excluded from the playoff contention. The decision to resume the season was made on May 11, following a ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan. "Pat has a duty as captain of the franchise and is looking forward to returning," stated Cummins' manager, Neil Maxwell, to News Corp on Tuesday.

Most of the overseas players from the Kolkata Knight Riders are expected to arrive in Bengaluru between Wednesday and Thursday.

After the announcement of the IPL suspension due to the conflict between India and Pakistan, many Australian players returned home. However, the recent ceasefire between the two nations has led Australian players, coaching staff, and commentators to reassess their options regarding whether to rejoin the tournament or remain in Australia.

Nevertheless, Cricket Australia has left it to each player to decide whether to return to India for the world's richest league. "Cricket Australia will support players in their individual choices regarding returning to India. We are in continuous communication with the Australian Government and the BCCI about security measures and safety," CA stated in a release on Tuesday.