- May 13, 2025
Just when we thought this year’s IPL couldn’t get more dramatic, the universe (and geopolitics) had other plans. After a completely fortuitous break due to air raid alerts along the northern border, the IPL 2025 is back—and it is back in a big way. Mark your calendars, because the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are set to face off against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on May 17 to recommence in Bengaluru. The final match? June 3. So, yes, cricket fans, the summer of sixes is back on!
Restarting the Madness: What We Know So Far
After a brief but serious hiatus due to security concerns in Jammu and Pathankot, BCCI has done something, well, almost miraculous, getting the IPL going, lest we find our fans in utter despair. The hiatus came immediately after the match with Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals, left in limbo as the match was abandoned, but it appears that not only has a ceasefire occurred between India and Pakistan, but also all seems to be occurring at lightspeed!
It wasn’t just a fan issue for the BCCI to conduct the tournament on May 17. This was an insane logistical exercise. All of the international players had returned home, and BCCI instructed the teams to get their players back in their host city by Tuesday. There was barely enough time for the teams to mentally recover from any jet lag, let alone get ready for hard matches.
The remaining 12 league and four legal playoff matches will now be played in a much more limited venue pool – Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Lucknow. Cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Dharamsala, and Jaipur are off the list because security reviews are still ongoing, or logistical roadblocks prevent working there.
Playoff Picture: Who’s In, Who’s Out, and Who’s Hanging by a Thread
When the league was suspended, the Gujarat Titans were on 16 points with a healthy NRR of 0.793. RCB had the same number of points with a lesser NRR. Moreover, the Punjab Kings, Mumbai Indians, and Delhi Capitals were also within striking distance, meaning the race for the playoffs was far from done.
It is official – Chennai Super Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Rajasthan Royals are now all extinct, all three have a mathematical chance of no-shows in the playoffs. And CSK fans, it’s fine to shed a tear.
With 12 league games yet to be played, it is going to be competition to the ultimate level for the last four playoff spots. Every league game is now a mini-final game, and each team must play like it’s the final game – as one game misstep and it’s history!
What’s Next: The Waiting Game for the Final Schedule
Despite knowing when the tournament will resume and when it concludes, there is still some suspense remaining (why not?). The BCCI will finalize and release the complete revised schedule after conducting a significant meeting with franchises, broadcasters, and venue owners, while also consulting with the government before everything is confirmed.
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia indicated that it is all hands on deck to ensure the rest of the tournament flows properly. Fans should expect the Friday (May 26) fixtures to drop at any moment now, and after that, the scramble for tickets for the playoffs and updates to fantasy leagues will kick into full gear.
So, here we are, IPL 2025 is back from the dead, and we have a setup for an exciting end to a rollercoaster season. From high-stakes matches, narrow venues, and playoff tension thicker than Bangalore traffic, this restart is ready to explode (hopefully only in a celebratory fashion).
Are you ready to ride the second half of this wild IPL wave? Which team will be on top when the dust settles on June 3?
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