ECB offers BCCI option to host IPL 2025 matches in England amidst India-Pakistan conflict

With uncertainty plaguing the remainder of the Indian Premier League amidst escalating geo-political tensions between India and Pakistan, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has come up with a potential solution for the completion of the IPL 2025 season.

According to reports, the ECB has offered the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to host the remainder of the IPL 2025 edition in September, following India’s Test tour to England.

On Friday, the BCCI announced the suspension of the IPL temporarily for a week following the rising cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan. The IPL had come under a cloud of uncertainty with the game between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals at Dharamsala being called-off around 9.35 pm Thursday, following a blackout and air raid alerts in neighbouring towns, including Pathankot just 90 km from the stadium.

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The BCCI had later arranged a special train for the teams stranded in Dharamsala to leave the Himachal town for Delhi before helping them disperse to their respective homes. The Indian Express learnt that several overseas players were apprehensive as border tensions escalated, and the abandonment of the Dharamsala match midway “made matters worse”. There was no directive from any cricket board for their players to return, sources said, but they were kept in the loop by top BCCI officials

Amidst the ongoing turmoil, the Guardian has reported that ECB chief executive Richard Gould has contacted his BCCI counterparts to extend support, offering a potential solution to complete the tournament that is left with 17 matches, including the Playoffs and the PBKS-DC game that will be replayed.

A senior ECB official is reported to have told that a window could open up in September. According to the international Future Tours Programme (FTP), India is scheduled to host the Asia Cup then, but the chances of this tournament going ahead appears remote in the current climate.

“Further updates regarding the new schedule and venues of the tournament will be announced in due course after a comprehensive assessment of the situation in consultation with relevant authorities and stakeholders,” BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said in a statement Friday.

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