New Delhi: Most of the international stars who are part of the 2025 Indian Premier League have departed for their respective countries after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a week’s suspension of the tournament. The high-profile T20 league was halted after the Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals match in Dharamshala was abandoned midway following air raid alerts in the neighbouring cities of Jammu and Pathankot.
Earlier on Friday, when Reuters asked BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia whether overseas players and support staff had been given the option to return home if they felt uncomfortable, he responded, “That’s not our domain. It’s for the individual franchises to decide what they want to do with their foreign recruits.”
RCB confirms safe departure of foreign players
RCB said in a statement, “Our players and extended staff have safely returned to Bengaluru and are now homebound to their respective cities and countries. We’re deeply grateful for the swift coordination and support from the BCCI, local authorities, and the police who made this possible.”
Our players and extended staff have safely returned to Bengaluru and are now homebound to their respective cities and countries. 🙌
We’re deeply grateful for the swift coordination and support from the BCCI, local authorities, and the police who made this possible. 🙏🇮🇳… pic.twitter.com/8IatIo5Wwl
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) May 10, 2025
RCB’s foreign contingent includes Tim David, Liam Livingstone, Jacob Bethell, Romario Shepherd, Philip Salt, Josh Hazlewood, Lungi Ngidi, and Nuwan Thushara.
Other franchises follow suit
An LSG official also confirmed to PTI that some of their overseas players left India on Saturday, while a few others opted to stay back for the time being. Other franchise players from Mumbai Indians (MI) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), both domestic and international, have also departed for their respective locations.
According to a source, KKR players left Hyderabad, where they were scheduled to face Sunrisers Hyderabad on Saturday.
Future of IPL 2025 remains uncertain
Reports suggest that Southern Indian cities like Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad are being shortlisted to conduct the remaining 16 matches if IPL 2025 resumes in May. Even if the tournament resumes in May or later in the year, the BCCI will have to consider the logistical challenges, especially in bringing back international players to India.
As per reports, franchises are unsure whether their overseas players would be willing to return to India if the IPL 2025 is resumed after its originally scheduled conclusion on May 25. The BCCI will have to look for a vacant window to conduct the remaining matches, though the calendar year appears packed, particularly with the Asia Cup scheduled for September, which India is set to host.
Foreign players leave India after IPL 2025 suspension due to security alerts; uncertainty looms over resumption and player availability in packed calendar. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
