BCCI locks in three venues to host the remainder of IPL 2025: Reports

The BCCI has reportedly planned to host the remainder of IPL 2025 away from border states. In an attempt to wrap up the season timely, the board is awaiting approval from the Government of India to resume the ongoing season in Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bengaluru. The IPL 2025 final was originally scheduled to be hosted at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Earlier, IPL 2025 was suspended for one week by the governing council amidst the India-Pakistan conflict growing volatile. At the time of suspension, IPL 2025 had 12 group-stage matches left to be played before the playoffs. With the new WTC Cycle slated to start in June for Team India, the board remains keen to avoid IPL 2025 colliding with the international schedule of the team.

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The remainder of ongoing #TATAIPL 2025 suspended with immediate effect for one week.

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 9, 2025

The BCCI has reportedly zeroed in on Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad as potential venues for the remaining 16 matches of IPL 2025, which includes the playoffs. Should this plan materialize, it’s likely that Eden Gardens will no longer host the final, despite being initially selected for both Qualifier 2 and the grand finale. Under the original schedule, Qualifier 1 and the Eliminator were to be staged at separate venues, while Kolkata was set to host the decisive matches.

However, the report does not clarify whether the board has established a definitive deadline to determine if the tournament can resume later this month. According to the same report, franchise representatives were informally updated about this development by the board on Friday. Some insiders from the franchises also hinted that if government approval isn’t granted in time to restart the tournament in May, the BCCI may consider concluding the season later this year instead.

In case the board insists on a May resumption, its most pressing obstacle would be reassembling the international players who have already begun their journey back home. At this point, there is no assurance that the foreign stars will return to India for the remaining fixtures should the tournament resume in May 2025. The decision to suspend IPL 2025 came amid heightened India-Pakistan border tensions. On Friday, the BCCI officially confirmed a week-long suspension of the tournament and announced that fresh dates and venues would be revealed following further deliberation.

So far, 57 matches have been completed this season. Match number 58, the PBKS vs DC fixture, was underway on Thursday but had to be halted after 10.1 overs and subsequently abandoned. It remains unclear whether this partially played fixture will be restarted or discarded when the league continues. Twelve league-stage matches are yet to be played, in addition to the four playoff games. The final was originally slated for May 25, 2025. If the board is to resume the competition this month, a prompt decision is essential, especially with the WTC Final between Australia and South Africa scheduled to commence on June 11 at Lord’s Cricket Ground.