After a week-long suspension triggered by the India-Pakistan military conflict, the Indian Premier League (IPL) is poised to resume on May 16 or 17, with the final likely being moved out of Kolkata due to weather concerns.
The announcement of a ceasefire on Saturday opened the door for the IPL to restart. According to BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla, the board and the IPL Governing Council met on Sunday to discuss rescheduling and logistics. “As of now, no final decision has been made. The BCCI secretary and IPL Chairman are in discussions with franchises and stakeholders. Efforts are on to resume the tournament as early as possible,” Shukla said.
First Match After Suspension
A source close to the IPL confirmed that the league will restart with the match between Lucknow Super Giants and Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Lucknow, which was originally scheduled for May 9. “All teams have been instructed to recall their players. The tournament will likely resume on May 16 or 17, and the revised schedule will be released Monday,” the source told PTI.
Venues and Weather Concerns
The source also revealed that matches will likely be limited to four key venues, excluding Delhi and Dharamsala, where equipment has already been removed. The shortlist includes Hyderabad, Chennai, Bengaluru, and Lucknow, though Kolkata is still under consideration depending on weather updates.
Hyderabad is expected to retain hosting rights for Qualifier 1 and the Eliminator, but the final, tentatively scheduled for June 1, may be moved from Kolkata to Ahmedabad due to a forecast of heavy rain in the West Bengal capital.
“As of now, there’s no confirmed change for the playoff venues, but if weather forecasts hold, the final may shift to Ahmedabad,” the source added.
BCCI’s Next Steps
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed that consultations will begin shortly with franchises, broadcasters, sponsors, and state associations involved in hosting the remaining games. “Considering the significance of IPL at this juncture, final approval from the Government of India will also be sought before officially confirming the new schedule,” Saikia told PTI.
Abandoned Match and Playoff Scenarios
An abandoned game between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Delhi Capitals (DC) in Dharamsala due to escalating tensions may result in both teams receiving one point each. At the time the match was stopped, PBKS had scored 122 for 1 in 10.1 overs.
After the cancellation, players were moved by bus to Jalandhar and then traveled to Delhi by train for safety reasons.
Teams That May Miss Home Matches
If the IPL limits games to just four venues, Delhi Capitals, Rajasthan Royals, and Mumbai Indians will miss out on home matches for the rest of the season. Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Rajasthan Royals (RR), and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) are already out of the playoff race, narrowing the competition for the top four spots.
Points Table as of Now
- Gujarat Titans: 16 points, NRR +0.793
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 16 points, NRR +0.482
- Punjab Kings: 15 points
- Mumbai Indians: 14 points
- Delhi Capitals: 13 points
- Kolkata Knight Riders: 11 points
- Lucknow Super Giants: 10 points
With 16 matches left in the season, the battle for the playoff spots remains fierce among seven teams. As the league looks to get back on track, fans can expect an intense finish to a disrupted but still highly competitive IPL season.
