Australia board to support players' individual decisions on IPL 2025 return

Cricket Australia has confirmed it will support players' individual choices regarding their return to IPL 2025, allowing them to prioritize safety, recovery, and preparation for upcoming international commitments, especially the World Test Championship final against South Africa.

In Short

• Australian players given freedom to choose IPL return after suspension
• CA prioritises player welfare over IPL commitments with WTC in sight
• Australia will play South Africa in thye WTC Final on June 11

Cricket Australia has officially confirmed its support for players to make their own decisions about returning to the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL), following a week-long suspension caused by escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. The statement comes after days of uncertainty regarding the Australian contingent’s participation, as several players and staff members returned home due to concerns over safety and clashes with upcoming international commitments.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has since confirmed that the IPL will resume on May 17, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru taking on Kolkata Knight Riders. The final is scheduled to take place on June 3. This revised schedule has brought a new layer of complexity for Australian players, many of whom are also preparing for the World Test Championship (WTC) final against South Africa at Lord’s starting June 11.

“Following the announcement that the IPL will resume on Saturday, Cricket Australia will support players in their individual decisions whether to return to India or not. Team management will work through preparation implications for the World Test Championship Final for those players who choose to play in the remaining IPL matches," A CA spokesperson said" in their statement.

“We are maintaining communication with the Australian Government and BCCI around security arrangements and safety,"the statement added.

Cricket Australia’s statement follows a tense week during which several top Australian players, including Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, and Josh Hazlewood, returned home after the IPL was temporarily suspended. Hazlewood was already managing a shoulder injury, while others were reportedly concerned about safety, particularly after the abandoned match in Dharamsala raised alarms over the security situation in India.

With the tournament now scheduled to restart on May 17, and the final pushed to June 3, players find themselves in a tight spot. Many, including those from teams on the verge of elimination, may not see the value in returning for a handful of fixtures. Others, especially those eyeing the World Test Championship final starting June 11, are reportedly prioritising recovery and preparation over franchise commitments. Several players would also require fresh No Objection Certificates (NOCs), given that their current clearances were valid only until the original IPL final date of May 25.

While the resumption of the IPL is a welcome development for the tournament, there remains considerable doubt over which Australian names will feature in the remaining matches.

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