IPL: Can IPL be held in September instead of Asia Cup, why is this the best option for BCCI?

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has postponed the IPL 2025 season for a week, given the ongoing tension between India and Pakistan. There were still 16 matches left in the current season of the IPL, which can be completed in a window of 10 or 12 days. BCCI Vice President Rajiv Shukla said that at present, the league has been postponed for a week. After this, we will take stock of the situation and decide.'

When asked about the window for the league, Rajiv Shukla said that 'all the boards support us. In such a situation, the window is not a matter of concern.' Regarding the availability of foreign players, he said that 'it will be their personal decision, they will decide on it themselves.' Only time will tell when the remaining season of IPL 2025 will start, but discussions have also started on what the window will be for this.

Given the kind of situation that has arisen between India and Pakistan at present, it seems difficult for the Asia Cup to be held in September. The Asia Cup is to be hosted by India (at a neutral venue), but given the situation that has arisen after the Pahalgam attack, it will be nothing short of a miracle for this multinational tournament to take place. In such a situation, the BCCI also has the option of conducting the remaining season of IPL 2025 during the Asia Cup window in September.

19-day window for Asia Cup

A 19-day window has been kept for the Asia Cup in September, where apart from the final, India and Pakistan can clash at least twice. A senior BCCI official was quoted by news agency PTI as saying, "If cricket continues even when there is a possibility of war with a rogue country, then it is a very bad situation. When everything becomes normal, the games can continue. Apart from this, it is very natural for foreign players and coaches to be cautious and return home." BCCI has decided after a lot of thought

The President of the Asian Cricket Council is now the President of the Pakistan Cricket Board Mohsin Naqvi and he will be responsible for dealing with the financial loss due to the cancellation of the Asia Cup. Interestingly, the President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is now the President of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Mohsin Naqvi and he will be responsible for dealing with the financial loss due to the cancellation of the Asia Cup. It is understood that the decision to postpone the league was a well-thought-out decision by the top officials of BCCI, as now there are only a few matches left, which can be completed even in 10 days, potentially including double-headers.

What are the options available to BCCI?

The window from late March to late May is the best for IPL as there is no busy schedule of international cricket during this period. In such a situation, all the cricket boards have a good chance to get their players to participate in the league. Now that the schedule has been messed up, BCCI will have to consider the options available. After the end of IPL 2025, the Indian team has to tour England from the first week of June to the first week of August, and this schedule cannot be changed. The most suitable time to complete the remaining season of IPL is from the second week of September to the fourth week. In such a situation, BCCI can discuss with various cricket boards to allow their players to play in the IPL.

Why cannot the event be held in August?

It is not possible to conduct the remaining season of IPL 2025 in August, as during this time India has to play a six-match limited-overs series against Bangladesh. However, the Hundred tournament organized by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is also scheduled to be held between August 5 and 31, in which top T20 players play. Many of these are players who also participate in the IPL. At the same time, Australia and South Africa are also scheduled to have a limited-overs series in August, due to which the players of both countries will not be available for the IPL.

PC Social media