BCCI to decide on fate of suspended IPL matches on May 11

New Delhi: BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla on Saturday said the Board officials and IPL Governing Council will meet on Sunday to discuss the best possible schedule to complete the suspended T20 League, following the announcement of an immediate ceasefire between India and Pakistan.

The Board was forced to suspend the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Friday, with 16 matches remaining, as the India-Pakistan border conflict threatened to escalate into a full-blown war after the Pahalgam terror attack and India's subsequent Operation Sindoor.

BCCI to explore new scheduling options

"The war has stopped. In the new situation, BCCI office bearers, officials and IPL Governing Council will discuss the matter tomorrow (Sunday) and take a call. We will see which can be the best schedule to complete the tournament," Shukla said.

It had been speculated that the League could be moved to southern Indian cities like Chennai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad, but Shukla clarified that such an option was more relevant when the military conflict was ongoing.

"That was an option when war was going on. There are many options which have been discussed. The ceasefire has just been announced, give some time to us, we will discuss and then only a decision will be taken," Shukla added.

Broadcasters asked to stay put at original venues

A total of 12 League stage matches and four playoff matches are yet to be played.

A top BCCI source, privy to the movements of the broadcaster and production teams, expressed hope that, barring Dharamsala, the crew at all other venues listed in the original IPL schedule has been asked to stay put.

"The broadcasters had initially asked its production unit to stay back in Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Chennai when the military crisis was deepening. But after the announcement of ceasefire, the crew has been instructed to stay put in all the original venues. So there is a chance that save the Dharamsala game, which could be rescheduled elsewhere, venues like Kolkata might retain their matches," the source said.

Foreign players begin to depart

Most of the foreign players, who represent different teams in the League, have already left the country.

Thursday's match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala was abandoned midway due to the conflict. With the Dharamsala airport shut, players and support staff of both teams travelled by bus to Jalandhar and then boarded a train to Delhi.

PTI inputs