IPL Set to Resume Amidst Ceasefire: Key Updates and Venue Changes

IPL Resumption Plans Following Ceasefire

The Indian Premier League (IPL), which was halted due to the military tensions between India and Pakistan, is expected to restart on either May 16 or 17. There is a possibility that the final match may be relocated from Kolkata.

The announcement of a ceasefire on Saturday has cleared the way for the league's return, which was suspended on May 9 for a week.

On Sunday, members of the IPL Governing Council and officials from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) convened to discuss the resumption strategy. BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla mentioned that they are still in the process of finalizing a suitable schedule.

Shukla stated, "Currently, no final decision has been made regarding the IPL. BCCI officials are exploring various solutions. The BCCI secretary and IPL chairman are in discussions with the franchises, and we will soon have an update on the situation. Efforts are underway to restart the tournament promptly."

According to an IPL insider, the league will kick off again with the match between Lucknow Super Giants and Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Lucknow, which was originally scheduled for May 9. For the match that was canceled between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala, both teams may receive one point each.

The source added, "All teams have been instructed to bring back their players, and the tournament is set to resume on either May 16 or 17 in Lucknow. The finalized schedule will be released tomorrow (Monday). Most likely, matches will take place at four venues, and Delhi and Dharamsala will not host any further games. All equipment has already been removed from these locations."

Furthermore, there will be no changes to the venues for Qualifier I and the Eliminator, which Hyderabad was supposed to host. However, Kolkata may not host the final, likely scheduled for June 1, due to anticipated rain in the city.

The source continued, "Currently, there are no alterations to the playoff venues, but rain could impact the final in Kolkata. If that occurs, the final might be moved to Ahmedabad."

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia remarked, "In the coming days, we will initiate discussions with franchises, broadcasters, sponsors, and state associations responsible for hosting the remaining matches before making a decision on the league's resumption. Given the significance of the IPL at this time, it is also essential to secure approval from the Government of India before finalizing the restart timeline."

Ricky Ponting's Commitment to Punjab Kings

In a related development, Punjab Kings head coach Ricky Ponting was preparing to return home when the ceasefire was announced. Although he had the option to fly back to Australia, he opted to stay, disembarking from a Qantas flight filled with anxious passengers. Ponting remained in Delhi and took the initiative to reassure the Kings' foreign players about returning to India as the event is likely to resume next week.

Punjab Kings CEO Satish Menon praised Ponting's character, stating, "Only he could have managed that. Not only did he choose to stay, but he also delivered a motivational talk to the foreign players who had already left for their respective destinations but will now rejoin the team as soon as possible."

The group of players, who faced a tense journey from Dharamsala to Delhi after the IPL match was abandoned on May 8, included Australians Marcus Stoinis, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis, and Xavier Bartlett. South Africa's Marco Jansen and Afghanistan's Azmatullah Omarzai are currently in Dubai, which is a short flight away from India.