BCCI pressures overseas cricket boards, demands immediate return of players for IPL 2025
Published - 13 May 2025, 04:54 PM | Updated - 13 May 2025, 05:44 PM
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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is taking strict action to make sure that foreign players are available for the remainder of the IPL 2025. As per the reports in PTI, it is learned that the governing body is putting pressure on the foreign boards to send their players.
The BCCI has told IPL COO Hemang Amin to individually speak to the likes of Cricket Australia and England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to ensure that foreign players arrive in India soon. Notably, some of them have expressed safety concerns in the wake of India-Pakistan tensions.
Franchises got involved in a lot of back-and-forth conversations with overseas players over
The reports claimed that after the BCCI announced the revised schedule for the IPL 2025, the franchises got involved in a lot of back-and-forth conversations with overseas players over their travel plans. The league is all set to resume on Saturday (17th May).
Speaking to PTI, a BCCI official said that they have been speaking to the foreign boards individually, and also, franchises are in talks with players. He added that they expect a majority of the players to return. He said:
"We have been speaking to the foreign boards individually while teams are directly dealing with their players. We expect a majority of them to return,"
Chennai Super Kings CEO Kasi Viswanathan said they are in talks with foreign players, and they will have a clear picture by tomorrow. He added:
"The revised schedule was announced last night. We have just started contacting our foreign players about their availability. We will have a clearer picture by tomorrow morning. Anyway, our game is on May 20. We have enough time," said CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan.
Now the situation has got better, the players should return - One of the IPL team officials
Another team official admitted that overseas players got scared, but with the situation being good now, they are expecting players to return for IPL 2025. He said:
"The foreign players were scared at that time, and understandably so. The BCCI showed that the safety of the players is paramount by ensuring they all got back home safely. Now the situation has got better, the players should return. However, some of them still remain on the edge."
Pat Cummins and Travis Head to return, Marcus Stoinis and Josh Inglis might not come back for IPL 2025
For Punjab Kings, the reports claimed that Marcus Stoinis and Josh Inglis might not return, although Ricky Ponting is trying his best to convince them. Other players in Xavier Bartlett, Aaron Hardie, along with Afghanistan's Azmatullah Omarzai and South African Marco Jansen, are expected to return for IPL 2025.
For Sunrisers Hyderabad, skipper Pat Cummins and batter Travis Head will also return. There is no confirmation yet on whether SRH's other overseas players - Heinrich Klaasen, Eshan Malinga, Kamindu Mendis, and Wiaan Mulder will return for the IPL 2025 or not.
Also Read: Cheteshwar Pujara rejects Shubman Gill as India's new No.4 post-Virat Kohli's Test exit
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