Mitchell Johnson wages war with BCCI; instigates Australian players against IPL

IPL 2025 is all set to resume on May 17 after a week of suspension due to security concerns. The former Australian pacer Mitchell Johnson accused the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) of pressuring overseas players to return for the remainder of the tournament.

Mitchell Johnson stated that BCCI is forcing the players to complete their commitment to the tournament despite the tournament being suspended for a week, and the revised schedule is also extended for a week also.

Also Read: BCCI gives up on picking India A squad for England amidst IPL, Shubman Gill, Gautam Gambhir drama

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Mitchell Johnson slams BCCI

Mitchell Johnson wants BCCI to respect the individual's decision whether to make a return to India or not, after the tension has risen on the borders between them and Pakistan.

He also advised PCB not to force overseas players to re-join the remainder of the tournament. IPL and PSL, both tournaments, were halted due to rising tension at the border.

"If I had to make a call whether to head back to India and finish the tournament, it would be an easy decision. It's a no from me. Lives and safety are the most important thing, not pay cheques. It's a personal decision."

"No one should be coerced or feel pressured into going back, even if the IPL and Pakistan Super League, which has also been halted, push hard for it. Both tournaments should just end now or consider moving, which then becomes a huge financial issue," Mitchell Johnson wrote in his column for The West Australian.

WTC final on the line

IPL 2025 final was moved to June 3 in the revised IPL schedule as earlier it was set to May 25. The most important fixture which is line up just after IPL 2025 is World Test Championship (WTC final 2025).

The WTC final will be hosted at the Lord's from June 11. The most overseas players who are participating in the IPL were from Australia and South Africa, and these two teams will collide in the final.

Australian duo Pat Cummins and Travis Head confirmed their return for the remainder of the IPL 2025. While Mitchell Starc opted out of the remaining matches of the IPL.

Johnson stated that South Africa cricket board is helpless rightnow and their financial ties with India through SA20 is forcing them to send their all players to play remaining matches of the IPL 2025.

The IPL 2025 final is just one week before the WTC 2025 final, and it will impact the players' performance in the long format, according to Johnson.

South African cricket board wants their player back by May 26

The South African cricket board agreed to the demands of the BCCI and allowed all their players to participate in the remainder of the tournament.

But the players who are in the squad of the WTC final will be travelling back to South Africa by May 26. Just a week before the IPL 2025 final.