Picture Credit: IPL
With the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 set to resume from Saturday, May 17, the ten franchises will await arrivals of their foreign players. It is to be noted that the IPL 2025 was halted mid-way for a week because of the escalating cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam. However, on Monday, May 12, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the revised schedule for the cash-rich league, seeing it get underway on Saturday with Royal Challengers Bengaluru taking on Kolkata Knight Riders at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
Moreover, seeing the ongoing tensions in the country, several overseas players have taken a step back to rejoin their respective squads in India for the remainder of the season. However, an official confirmation is still awaited, reports citing ESPNcricinfo have stated that Pat Cummins and Travis Head will rejoin the side despite Australia preparing for the WTC Final, set to be played from June 11 to 15 at Lord’s.
As reported by ESPNcricinfo, Cummins, the SRH captain, and Head, have told the franchise they will fly back to India. "Pat has a responsibility as captain of the franchise and is looking at returning," Cummins' manager Neil Maxwell told News Corp on Tuesday. Earlier in the day, Ben Oliver, Cricket Australia's head of national teams, stated that while it was an "extreme situation" the board would "work with players on their individual decision to return to India or not" over the next two days. On the other hand, Punjab Kings is still waiting for a response from Marcus Stoinis and Josh Inglis.
Gerald Coetzee, Jos Buttler to rejoin GT squad on May 14; Russell and Narine soon to rejoin KKR
Moreover, Gujarat Titans will be bolstered by their overseas players as England international Jos Buttler along with Protea international Gerald Coetzee have also confirmed to rejoin their IPL side. The two players are set to rejoin the side by Wednesday, May 14. Furthermore, a few of their overseas players, including the likes of Rashid Khan, Sherfane Rutherford, Kagiso Rabada and Karim Janat have stayed back with the rest of the squad.
Additionally, the KKR squad will also be boosted with the likes of their West Indies internationals, including Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Rovman Powell. They have reportedly been in Dubai and are likely to return to India by Wednesday-Thursday. KKR wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz, South African pacer Anrich Nortje will also rejoin the side in Bengaluru.
