IPL 2025: Australian players might skip if tournament resumes in May – Reports

The IPL 2025 is set to resume next week as per multiple reports.

Cricket Australia has pledged to support Australian cricketers, who have returned home after Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 was suspended, if they choose not to return when the tournament restarts, potentially later this month.

According to a report by The Age, although all Australian players have returned home from the IPL, fear and anxiety remain common sentiments. Coaching staff members such as Brad Haddin and Ricky Ponting are still in India.

Following the announcement of a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, other coaches, including Michael Hussey and Justin Langer, have also returned home. However, they expect to be invited back to complete the tournament, pending government guidance to the Indian board.

According to Indian media reports on Sunday evening, all IPL teams—except for Punjab Kings (PBKS), who will play at a neutral venue—have been instructed to regroup at their home bases by Tuesday.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the IPL governing council were scheduled to meet later on Sunday night to discuss arrangements for resuming the tournament. The remaining 16 matches could start as early as next weekend.

Australian Players Might Skip IPL Resumption Due to Workload Concerns

Mitchell Starc, one of Australia’s leading players, did not speak to reporters upon arriving at Sydney Airport on Sunday. After landing, Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis told Nine News, “Everyone is fine.”

Despite plans to move the remaining games to southern Indian cities such as Bengaluru and Chennai, some players remain concerned about security. While a few may be willing to return, others are hesitant due to the demanding cricket schedule.

Australia are set to play in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 final at the Lord’s against South Africa. Key players like Travis Head, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood were hoping to spend some time with their families before heading to the UK for the match.

A three-match test tour of the West Indies is scheduled to begin soon after the WTC final. Sources indicate that the IPL’s resumption plans will not push the tournament beyond its current May 24 deadline. However, if it does, all Australian players would require new “No Objection” certificates from Cricket Australia in order to return.

Australians participating in the Pakistan Super League were also returning home on Sunday, including those who boarded a charter flight to Dubai from an airfield that was reportedly targeted just hours later.

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