The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is set for a dramatic and highly anticipated restart on May 17th, following an unprecedented mid-season suspension. With the league resuming after a week-long break caused by cross-border tensions, fans, players, and franchises are gearing up for a packed and unpredictable final leg. This comprehensive blog post covers everything you need to know about the IPL 2025 restart: the reasons behind the suspension, the revised schedule, team and player updates, playoff possibilities, and much more.
Why Was IPL 2025 Suspended?
The IPL 2025 was halted for just over a week due to escalating cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan. The situation prompted the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to temporarily suspend the tournament as a precautionary measure, prioritizing the safety of players, staff, and fans. With a ceasefire agreement now in place, the league is ready to resume, albeit with a condensed and slightly altered schedule.
What Has Happened So Far: IPL 2025 Recap
Before the suspension, the tournament had reached a critical juncture with only 13 league matches remaining. The points table was fiercely contested, with several teams still in the hunt for playoff spots. Notably, no team had secured a place in the playoffs, adding extra intensity to the remaining fixtures.
Key Highlights Before the Break
- Gujarat Titans (GT) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) were leading the table, each with 16 points.
- Punjab Kings (PBKS) were close behind with 15 points, while Mumbai Indians (MI) and Delhi Capitals (DC) were also in contention.
- Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) were struggling to stay in the playoff race.
- Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Rajasthan Royals (RR), and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) were already out of playoff contention.
The Revised IPL 2025 Schedule
The BCCI has released a new schedule for the remainder of IPL 2025, with the league resuming on May 17 and the final now set for June 3. The remaining 13 league matches, including a replay of the abandoned PBKS vs DC fixture, will be played across six venues: Bengaluru, Jaipur, Delhi, Lucknow, Mumbai, and Ahmedabad. Notably, there will be no matches in Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, or any of PBKS’ original home venues.
IPL 2025 Restart : Key Dates
- Restart: May 17 (RCB vs KKR in Bengaluru)
- League Matches: May 17–27 (including two double-header days on May 18 and May 25)
- Qualifier 1: May 29
- Eliminator: May 30
- Qualifier 2: June 1
- Final: June 3
IPL 2025 Restart : Match Timings
- Evening games: 7:30 PM IST
- Afternoon games: 3:30 PM IST
IPL 2025 Restart : Special Fixture
- The abandoned PBKS vs DC match (originally in Dharamsala) will be replayed from scratch on May 24 in Jaipur. All statistics from the abandoned game will be discarded.
IPL 2025 Restart : The First Match – RCB vs KKR on May 17
The much-awaited restart will see Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) take on Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, on Saturday, May 17, at 7:30 PM IST. This high-stakes encounter is crucial for both teams:
- RCB: With eight wins from 11 matches, a victory will secure their playoff berth.
- KKR: The defending champions must win to keep their slim playoff hopes alive.
IPL 2025 Restart : Venue Insights
The M Chinnaswamy Stadium has produced high-scoring games this season, but bowlers have also found some assistance. Dew could play a significant role in the second innings, and there is a 65% chance of rain on match day.
IPL 2025 Restart : Overseas Player Availability – Who’s In, Who’s Out?
The resumption of IPL 2025 has been complicated by the international cricket calendar, with several overseas players facing national commitments, injuries, or security concerns. Here’s a team-wise breakdown of overseas player availability for the final stretch:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
- Available: Phil Salt, Liam Livingstone, Jacob Bethell, Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Lungi Ngidi, Nuwan Thushara
- Unavailable: Josh Hazlewood (shoulder injury, WTC Final)
- Key Point: Most overseas stars are back, but Hazlewood’s absence is a blow.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
- Available: Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Quinton de Kock, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Anrich Nortje
- Unavailable: Rovman Powell, Moeen Ali
- Doubtful: Spencer Johnson (uncertain)
- Key Point: Core overseas players are available, but depth is affected.
Mumbai Indians (MI)
- Available: All overseas players, except Will Jacks and Corbin Bosch (may miss playoffs)
- Key Point: Mumbai is one of the least affected teams, with a full-strength overseas contingent for now.
Gujarat Titans (GT)
- Available: Jos Buttler, Dasun Shanaka, Rashid Khan, Karim Janat, Gerald Coetzee, Kagiso Rabada
- Unavailable: Sherfane Rutherford
- Key Point: Buttler and Rabada are available until playoffs; NOCs post-league phase are uncertain.
Punjab Kings (PBKS)
- Available: Marcus Stoinis, Aaron Hardie, Mitchell Owen, Azmatullah Omarzai, Marco Jansen, Xavier Bartlett
- Uncertain: Josh Inglis
- Key Point: Most overseas players are back, but some uncertainty remains.
Delhi Capitals (DC)
- Available: Faf du Plessis, Sediqullah Atal, Tristan Stubbs, Donovan Ferreira, Dushmantha Chameera
- Unavailable: Mitchell Starc, Jake Fraser-McGurk
- Key Point: Starc’s absence is a major loss; Stubbs and du Plessis are key.
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)
- Available: David Miller, Aiden Markram, Matthew Breetzke, Nicholas Pooran, Shamar Joseph
- Uncertain: Mitchell Marsh
- Key Point: Core overseas players are available, but Marsh’s status is unclear.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)
- Available: Pat Cummins, Travis Head, Kamindu Mendis, Wiaan Mulder, Heinrich Klaasen, Ehsan Malinga
- Key Point: Despite being out of the playoff race, most overseas stars will play the remaining matches.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
- Available: Dewald Brevis, Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway, Matheesha Pathirana, Nathan Ellis, Noor Ahmad
- Unavailable: Sam Curran, Jamie Overton
- Key Point: Key all-rounder Curran is out, but CSK retains a strong overseas core.
Rajasthan Royals (RR)
- Available: Wanindu Hasaranga, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Kwena Maphaka, Maheesh Theekshana, Fazalhaq Farooqi
- Unavailable: Shimron Hetmyer, Jofra Archer
- Key Point: RR’s campaign is already over, but they will field several overseas players.
Latest IPL 2025 Points Table
Here’s how the teams stand as of the restart:
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Lost | Points | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gujarat Titans (GT) | 11 | 8 | 3 | 16 | +0.793 |
| 2 | Royal Challengers BLR | 11 | 8 | 3 | 16 | +0.482 |
| 3 | Punjab Kings (PBKS) | 11 | 7 | 3 | 15 | +0.376 |
| 4 | Mumbai Indians (MI) | 12 | 7 | 5 | 14 | +1.156 |
| 5 | Delhi Capitals (DC) | 11 | 6 | 4 | 13 | +0.362 |
| 6 | Kolkata Knight Riders | 12 | 5 | 6 | 11 | +0.193 |
| 7 | Lucknow Super Giants | 11 | 5 | 6 | 10 | -0.469 |
| 8 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 11 | 3 | 7 | 7 | -1.192 |
| 9 | Rajasthan Royals | 12 | 3 | 9 | 6 | -0.718 |
| 10 | Chennai Super Kings | 12 | 3 | 9 | 6 | -0.992 |
- GT, RCB, and PBKS are leading the race for the playoffs, with MI and DC close behind.
- KKR and LSG still have slim mathematical chances, while SRH, RR, and CSK are out of contention.
This table reflects the official standings and NRR as per the latest available data from IPL and major sports outlets.
Playoff Scenarios and Top 4 Possibilities
With only 13 league matches left, the race for the playoffs is intense:
- GT and RCB: Both need just one more win to guarantee a playoff spot.
- PBKS: Need two wins from their remaining three matches to be sure.
- MI and DC: Still in the hunt; must win most of their remaining games and hope for favorable results elsewhere.
- KKR and LSG: Require a series of wins and other results to go their way to sneak into the top four.
- CSK, RR, SRH: Officially eliminated from playoff contention.
Other Notable Details
- Venues: No matches in Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, or PBKS’ original home grounds. Playoffs venues are yet to be announced.
- Temporary Replacements: Teams can sign temporary overseas replacements for the remainder of IPL 2025, but these players won’t be eligible for retention in IPL 2026.
- Replay of Abandoned Match: The PBKS vs DC match will be replayed in Jaipur, with all previous stats nullified.
IPL 2025 Restart: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Why was IPL 2025 suspended?
A: Due to cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan, the BCCI suspended the tournament for safety reasons.
Q: When does IPL 2025 resume?
A: The league resumes on May 17 with RCB vs KKR in Bengaluru.
Q: Which teams are best placed to qualify for the playoffs?
A: Gujarat Titans and RCB are almost certain to qualify, needing just one more win each. PBKS, MI, and DC are also in contention.
Q: Will all international players return for the restart?
A: Most have returned, but several are unavailable due to national duty, injuries, or security concerns. Teams like MI and GT are least affected, while DC and CSK have notable absentees.
Q: What happens with the abandoned PBKS vs DC match?
A: It will be replayed from scratch on May 24 in Jaipur, with no carryover of stats.
Q: Can teams sign replacement overseas players?
A: Yes, but replacements signed after the suspension are not eligible for retention in IPL 2026.
Q: Where will the playoffs be held?
A: Playoff venues have not been announced yet.
IPL 2025 Restart: Final Thoughts
The resumption of IPL 2025 promises high drama, with a packed schedule, intense playoff battles, and teams scrambling to adjust to player availability challenges. The revised schedule, international player comings and goings, and the unique circumstances of the suspension have set the stage for one of the most unpredictable finishes in IPL history. With every match now carrying extra weight, fans can expect fireworks as teams battle for supremacy and a shot at the coveted IPL trophy.
As the league restarts, all eyes will be on Bengaluru for the RCB vs KKR clash a fitting curtain raiser for what could be a historic conclusion to IPL 2025.
Read the blog about IPL 2025 Suspension.
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Hi, I’m Prashant Jain — a curious soul, storyteller, and content creator at heart.I’ve always been drawn to the world of entertainment, travel, sports, health & lifestyle — not just as a writer, but as someone who genuinely lives these experiences. Whether I’m binge-watching the latest OTT series, exploring offbeat spiritual destinations in India, or diving deep into wellness routines and cricket match insights, I love sharing what I discover with like-minded readers.
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