Dawid Malan On IPL 2025 (Source: @PunjabKingsIPL/x.com, @IPL/x.com)
The ongoing tension between India and Pakistan is taking an even fiercer shape with every passing day. With immediate effect and keeping the safety concerns in mind, the ongoing IPL 2025 has been suspended for one week.
After 2021, the iconic tournament witnessed another unexpected halt. Ex-England star Dawid Malan believes that if the tournament doesn’t restart within a week, it might be pushed to another window in September.
September Window On The Horizon For IPL?
The high-voltage border tension between India and Pakistan is affecting the world, and the IPL 2025 has also been affected by the ongoing situation. Just like the mid-season COVID disruption in 2021, the league has hit an unexpected pause. With a one-week halt, the tournament took an unexpected turn.
Amidst this critical situation, former England cricketer Dawid Malan has reflected on this issue. As Team India is all set to face England in a five-match Test series, Malan warns that if calm isn’t restored and play doesn’t resume within a week, the league may be forced to find a new window in September once again.
“If it doesn’t happen in India or Sri Lanka in a week’s time like that, I suppose they will start in September. They got a massive Test series coming up against England in a few months’ time, and the IPL has to finish before that or start after that; logistically, it is quite a headache for the organisers. I guess they have to wait and see how next week plays out in terms of the safety concerns of players and people of both countries.” Malan said.
Malan Reveals Likely IPL Backup Venues
Back in 2021, the IPL kicked off in India but was abruptly halted as COVID-19 swept through multiple camps. The BCCI later revived the tournament in the UAE that September, delivering a thrilling second half. Even before that, IPL 2009 took place in South Africa due to the general election. Talking about this, Malan said, if the tournament resumes within a week, the potential option will be either on home soil or in the UAE.
“It’s not the first time it has happened with the IPL, not in terms of severity, that has been going on between the two countries, but COVID hit back in 2020/2021, and they moved the IPL to the UAE midway through,” he said.
“There are options they have played in South Africa before. Realistically, if they have to start in a week, they have to do it in India or the UAE. South Africa wouldn’t be an option, considering it will be winter there,” he added.
The decision on arranging the remaining part of the tournament is yet to be taken. As suspense builds, the cricketing world watches closely, eager for answers and hopeful for a swift resolution.
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