CA announces, Australian players will not be pressured to return to IPL 2025

As the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) plans to restart IPL 2025 on May 16, the franchises might face big issues regarding Australian cricketers. Cricket Australia (CA) will defend the Australian cricketers’ rights if they choose not to return to India to complete contractual obligations.

There are 14 Australian players in the IPL, with Mitchell Owen yet to join. Adam Zampa returned home after a season-ending injury. Glenn Maxwell, who has been ruled out of the IPL 2025 with an injury, is also likely to skip the rest of the season. However, Australian cricketers who have returned home will not be pressurised to return to India, as per the Australian media outlet The Age. Overseas cricketers might face the heat with the BCCI imposing a two-year suspension if players refuse to honour their contract.

Foreign cricketers in IPL 2025 were caught in the middle of the India-Pakistan conflict. The PBKS vs DC match had to be suspended after a complete blackout in Dharamsala. With airports shut in the northern part of the country, they were evacuated by train to Delhi.

Australians in IPL 2025

• Chennai Super Kings: Nathan Ellis
• Delhi Capitals: Mitch Starc, Jake Fraser-McGurk
• Kolkata Knight Riders: Spencer Johnson
• Lucknow Super Giants: Mitch Marsh
• Punjab Kings: Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell (Ruled out), Mitch Owen (Yet to join), Josh Inglis, Aaron Hardie, Xavier Bartlett
• Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Josh Hazlewood, Tim David
• Sunrisers Hyderabad: Pat Cummins, Travis Head, Adam Zampa (Ruled out)

NOC till May 25

The BCCI is devising a fresh schedule to complete the IPL 2025 by the original finish date of May 25. However, it is subject to the Indian govt’s approval. Even though the BCCI is unwilling to extend the tournament window, the Indian board might be forced to do. There are still 13 league matches left, including the suspended PBKS vs DC match.

But if the BCCI extends the window of the IPL 2025, Australian players might not be available. The NOC (No Objection Certificate) from Cricket Australia is only valid till May 25. For the tournament to extend beyond that date, Australian cricketers will need to reapply.

However, the problem is: WTC Final 2025. Australia will take on South Africa in the final starting on June 11. The players were expected to leave by June 6 after spending some time at home before leaving for England. If IPL 2025 is extended beyond May 25, Australian Test players might skip the last few days of the tournament. Apart from that, as 17 matches will have to be completed within 10 days, it risks player fatigue and injury. Australian Test players may not be willing to take that risk due to the WTC Final 2025.

In all likelihood, the tournament will be completed by May 25 as India A tours England for a three-match red-ball series, starting May 30.