European Central Bank pledges to assist Board of Control for Cricket in India in hosting the remaining matches of IPL 2025, as England cricket players return to their home country due to escalating Indo-Pak tensions.
Got the Scoop on the IPL 2025 Moving Ahead? UK Steps Up as the Potential Host!
Rumors Swirling: BCCI May Shift IPL 2025 to the UK!
Here's the lowdown on the buzz surrounding the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has thrown its hat in the ring, offering a helping hand to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) should they decide to relocate the tournament.
The move comes in the wake of the IPL announcement of a one-week suspension due to escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. Players are scrambling to get home, and there's a cloud of uncertainty looming over the tournament's future. In this situation, the ECB has shown an interest in playing host to the remaining matches, should the BCCI decide to relocate.
On Friday, ECB chief executive Richard Gould confirmed the board's willingness to step in if needed, acknowledging the complexities surrounding the current halt in IPL proceedings.
With the IPL being moved to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 and even being staged in South Africa in 2009 to avoid clashes with Indian general elections, a decision to move it overseas is not unprecedented. England, with its logistical challenges, could potentially offer a smoother transition for the Indian players already due to arrive for the side's five-Test tour in June.
Moreover, players from Australia and South Africa will travel to England to take part in the World Test Championship final, which will take place between June 11 and 15.
English Players Ready to Hit the Road!
According to reports, amongst the 10 English players participating in the IPL-2025, Jos Buttler, Jofra Archer, Moeen Ali, and Jacob Bethell were booked on outbound flights from India on Thursday night, even before the official suspension was confirmed on Friday morning. Others opted to head to Dubai, waiting out the uncertainty and reassessing their plans based on future developments.
Despite the tournament's potential delay due to the IPL's suspension, overlapping with England's own cricketing commitments, the ECB remains optimistic about maintaining its international calendar. An ECB spokesperson had this to say, "We're still expecting India's five-Test tour here beginning next month to go ahead as planned."
- England Cricket Board
- Ipl
- Jos Buttler
- Jofra Archer
- Moeen Ali
- Jacob Bethell
- BCCI
- IPL 2025
- World Test Championship final
- Amidst the suspense over the IPL 2025, the England Cricket Board (ECB) has expressed its readiness to accommodate the tournament if the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) decides to relocate.
- Jos Buttler, Jofra Archer, Moeen Ali, and Jacob Bethell are among the English players who have booked flights from India to the UK, possibly to participate in the IPL 2025 should it be held there.
- With the potential delay of the IPL due to its suspension, the ECB remains optimistic about maintaining its international calendar, including the scheduled five-Test tour of India starting soon.
- The World Test Championship final, scheduled between June 11 and 15, will feature players from Australia and South Africa, with England serving as the host nation.
- If the IPL 2025 is moved to the UK, it would follow past instances where the tournament was staged in the UAE during the COVID-19 pandemic and in South Africa to avoid clashes with Indian elections.
- The ECB's involvement in the IPL 2025, if it occurs, could potentially see cricketing events taking place in Dharamsala, India, alongside other international sports events the country hosts.
