The revised IPL schedule has thrown franchises into confusion over the availability of their overseas players.
IPL 2025 Set to Resume Amid Uncertainty Over Foreign Player Availability
The 2025 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to resume on May 17, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru facing Kolkata Knight Riders at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. However, the revised schedule has created confusion among franchises regarding the availability of foreign players. This uncertainty stems not only from ongoing safety concerns after the recent India-Pakistan military tensions but also due to scheduling clashes with key international fixtures.
IPL 2025 was abruptly suspended on May 9 following heightened military activity between India and Pakistan, a response to the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, south Kashmir. A ceasefire announced shortly after allowed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to confirm the tournament’s return on May 17. However, with the final now pushed from May 25 to June 3, several teams could be without their overseas stars for the crucial final phase.
The revised IPL window now overlaps with major international commitments. The World Test Championship (WTC) final begins on June 11 at Lord’s, with South Africa scheduled to face Australia. Additionally, England are set to play a three-match ODI series against the West Indies, further complicating player availability.
Huge headache for CSA, less worry for Aussies
As the IPL 2025 resumes on May 17, franchises remain on edge over the availability of key overseas players, particularly from South Africa, Australia, and England, with the playoffs and final now clashing with major international fixtures.
South Africa has eight players participating in IPL 2025, seven of whom have been named in their World Test Championship (WTC) squad to face Australia at Lord’s. Six of these players — including Kagiso Rabada (GT), Tristan Stubbs (DC), Aiden Markram (LSG), Marco Jansen (PBKS), Lungi Ngidi (RCB), and Corbin Bosch (MI) — are part of teams still in the playoff race. CSA is yet to make an official decision but has indicated that WTC players must return by May 26, ahead of the squad’s assembly in England on May 31. “It is an individual decision… but we are finalising our original plan with the IPL and BCCI,” said CSA’s Enoch Nkwe.
Australia has also announced its WTC squad. While SRH duo Pat Cummins and Travis Head have agreed to return, their team is already out of the playoff race. Mitchell Starc (DC) has opted out of returning, and Josh Hazlewood remains sidelined with injury. PBKS’ Josh Inglis is unlikely to come back due to security concerns.
