The 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to resume on May 17, following a week-long suspension triggered by cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan. The BCCI has confirmed a compressed schedule concluding with the final on June 3. This revised calendar includes 17 high-stakes matches and several logistical and international challenges for teams and players alike.
🗓️ #TATAIPL 2025 action is all set to resume on 17th May 🙌
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 12, 2025
The remaining League-Stage matches will be played across 6⃣ venues 🏟️
The highly anticipated Final will take place on 3rd June 🏆
Details 🔽https://t.co/MEaJlP40Um pic.twitter.com/c1Fb1ZSGr2
Revised IPL 2025 Schedule: Key Fixtures and Venues
The remainder of the tournament will take place across six Indian cities:
- Bengaluru
- Jaipur
- Delhi
- Lucknow
- Mumbai
- Ahmedabad
Opening Match Post-Resumption:
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) vs Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
- Date: May 17
- Venue: Bengaluru
Double-Header Sundays:
- May 18:
- Day: Rajasthan Royals (RR) vs Punjab Kings (PBKS)
- Night: Delhi Capitals (DC) vs Gujarat Titans (GT)
- May 25:
- Day: Gujarat Titans (GT) vs Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
- Night: Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) vs Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
Final League Match:
- May 27: Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Lucknow
IPL 2025 Playoffs: Dates to Watch
The playoff venues are yet to be disclosed, but the BCCI has confirmed the match dates:
- Qualifier 1: May 29
- Eliminator: May 30
- Qualifier 2: June 1
- Final: June 3
This new timeline condenses the tournament into a fast-paced climax, demanding peak performance from all franchises within a short span.
Neutral Venues: Teams Displaced from Home Grounds
The change in logistics has forced several franchises to adjust to neutral venues.
Punjab Kings (PBKS) are particularly affected, losing both of their scheduled home games in Dharamsala:
- The interrupted match vs Delhi Capitals (DC), halted on May 8, will be replayed on May 24 in Jaipur, now serving as PBKS’s temporary home.
- PBKS’s match vs Mumbai Indians (MI), originally scheduled for May 11 in Dharamsala, will now be played on May 26 in Jaipur.
Both Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) — no longer in playoff contention — will also not return to their home grounds.
International Fixture Clashes: Player Availability Under Threat
The revised IPL dates now overlap directly with major international cricketing commitments, particularly the West Indies vs England ODI series and the upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) Final.
West Indies ODI Squad Conflicts:
- Romario Shepherd (RCB)
- Shamar Joseph (LSG)
- Sherfane Rutherford (GT)
England Players Potentially Affected:
- Jos Buttler (GT)
- Phil Salt, Jacob Bethell, Liam Livingstone (RCB)
- Will Jacks, Reece Topley (MI)
These overlaps could prevent several key players from participating in the final stages of the IPL, significantly impacting squad depth and team strategies during the playoffs.
IPL vs WTC Final: Scheduling Headache for Test Contenders
The IPL final on June 3 leaves just seven days before the World Test Championship Final begins on June 11 at Lord’s. Both Australia and South Africa are expected to name squads containing several IPL participants.
Likely Test Call-Ups from IPL:
- Australia:
- Pat Cummins, Travis Head (SRH)
- Mitchell Starc, Tristan Stubbs (DC)
- Josh Hazlewood (RCB)
- Josh Inglis (PBKS)
- South Africa:
- Marco Jansen (PBKS)
- Aiden Markram (LSG)
- Kagiso Rabada (GT)
- Ryan Rickelton (MI)
- Kwena Mphaka (RR)
Players involved in both tournaments could face challenges in travel, recovery, and preparation, potentially affecting their performance in the WTC final.
India A Tour of England Also at Risk
The India A tour to England, which begins on May 30, now coincides with the IPL playoffs. Several fringe India players expected to participate in the England Tests could still be playing in the IPL, jeopardizing their availability for the unofficial matches scheduled in Canterbury and Northampton.
Franchise Rebuilding: Urgent Squad Reassembly Underway
The temporary suspension caused a number of overseas players and support staff to return home. Now, franchises must swiftly reassemble their squads ahead of the restart.
Team Status Overview:
- Gujarat Titans (GT) are in the strongest position. Only Buttler and Gerald Coetzee left camp, while the rest continued training in Ahmedabad.
- Mumbai Indians (MI) may benefit from the late restart of their first match post-resumption on May 21, offering a valuable buffer for reintegration.
Other teams are scrambling to arrange flights, visas, and training schedules, while navigating unpredictable availability due to international duties.
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🚨BREAKING🚨
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) May 12, 2025
IPL 2025 to resume on May 17 with a clash between RCB and KKR.
More details – https://t.co/PlEXkiF28E pic.twitter.com/mYWtiuoX6r
Conclusion
As the IPL 2025 resumes, the stakes are higher than ever. A condensed timeline, international conflicts, neutral venues, and unpredictable squad compositions set the stage for an intense finale. Franchises must adapt rapidly, both tactically and logistically, to capitalize on the opportunities ahead.
For fans, the remainder of IPL 2025 promises drama, intensity, and perhaps one of the most competitive finishes in recent memory. The path to the title will test every team’s resilience, depth, and adaptability like never before.
