BCCI steps up efforts to secure overseas player participation in IPL 2025

Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood (Pic: IPL/BCCI)

With the IPL 2025 set to resume on May 17 following a week-long suspension, the BCCI and franchise officials are actively engaging with foreign cricket boards to ensure the return of overseas players.

The suspension, triggered by escalating military tensions between India and Pakistan after the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, was lifted after a ceasefire was announced. Following this, the Indian government granted the necessary security clearances, allowing the league to announce its revised schedule.

The BCCI has directed IPL COO Hemang Amin to personally reach out to key boards such as Cricket Australia (CA) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to address any residual safety concerns players may have about traveling back to India.

All the 10 teams are involved in a lot of back and forth with their overseas recruits over their arrival plans in India a day after the IPL announced the revised schedule following necessary security clearances from the government.

"We have been speaking to the foreign boards individually while teams are directly dealing with their players. We expect majority of them to return," a BCCI official told PTI.

While Cricket Australia has given players the autonomy to decide on participation, the players' association is also involved in these discussions. Team representatives noted that although a few players are still hesitant, the general expectation is that most will rejoin their squads before the tournament resumes.

Chennai Super Kings, whose next match is scheduled for May 20, are in the process of confirming the availability of their foreign players. Among CSK's overseas contingent are Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Sam Curran, Jamie Overton, Noor Ahmad, and Matheesha Pathirana. While Ahmad and Pathirana are expected to return, uncertainty surrounds the availability of their New Zealand recruits.

At Punjab Kings, head coach Ricky Ponting is making efforts to persuade Marcus Stoinis and Josh Inglis to return, though their participation remains doubtful. However, the team anticipates the return of Xavier Bartlett, Aaron Hardie, Azmatullah Omarzai, and Marco Jansen. Punjab are on track for their first play-off berth since 2014.

SunRisers Hyderabad, though already eliminated, are hopeful of seeing captain Pat Cummins and opener Travis Head rejoin the side for their remaining three fixtures. "We are confident that majority of foreign players will return including the captain," a franchise official said.

Delhi Capitals, still in the play-off hunt, have reached out to their overseas players and await responses. Australian pacer Mitchell Starc is among those they are particularly keen to have back. "We hope that all of them return. We will know more by tomorrow," said a team official.

With the IPL final now rescheduled for June 3, the proximity to the June 11 WTC final at Lord's poses a logistical challenge for players from Australia and South Africa who are balancing national duties with IPL commitments.

(With PTI inputs)