As IPL 2025 remains suspended for a week amid rising India-Pakistan tensions, former BCCI President Sourav Ganguly has expressed full confidence that the tournament will be completed. Speaking to India Today, Ganguly stated that the BCCI is capable of managing crisis situations, citing examples from the COVID-affected seasons in 2020 and 2021.
“Even during the 2020 and 2021 COVID years, the IPL was completed. The BCCI is so efficient that they will certainly finish IPL 2025 as well,” Ganguly said.
IPL Suspension and Remaining Matches
The IPL 2025 was suspended after the PBKS vs DC match in Dharamsala was called off due to security threats near Pathankot. With tensions escalating across the border, the BCCI took precautionary action to pause the tournament for one week.
Currently, 17 matches remain in the season, including:
- The interrupted PBKS vs DC match
- 12 league matches
- 4 playoff games, including the final
Ganguly stated that even if the tournament is delayed, the BCCI would extend the IPL by seven days if necessary to ensure it concludes smoothly.
“This Is Not Like Covid” – Ganguly
Ganguly added that while the current security situation is serious, it is not as logistically complicated as the COVID-19 pandemic. During his tenure, the IPL was successfully held in the UAE after being postponed.
“A situation like Covid just cannot happen again. Matches were played then too, and the BCCI followed government instructions perfectly,” he said.
BCCI Exploring Options
While no final decision has been made yet, reports suggest:
- The BCCI is consulting with government officials on resumption timelines.
- The board is considering using the Asia Cup window in September to complete the tournament.
- Foreign players have been allowed to return home temporarily for safety.
What Lies Ahead?
- If the situation improves, IPL 2025 may resume in India within a couple of weeks.
- If not, it could be relocated to a neutral venue like England or the UAE, similar to previous years.
- A decision is expected soon as the BCCI continues to prioritize player safety and national interest.
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