After a week-long suspension due to the India-Pakistan conflict, the Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to resume tomorrow (Saturday). However, the geopolitical tension has had a lingering effect — many foreign players returned home during the pause, and despite a temporary ceasefire now in place, some are still reluctant to rejoin. This has forced franchises to scramble mid-season to sign new overseas replacements.
The remaining 16 matches of the tournament will begin with a high-profile clash between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kolkata Knight Riders. Ahead of the restart, three franchises have signed replacements for foreign players, according to an official IPL statement.
Key Changes Across Teams:
Punjab Kings had signed New Zealand pacer Lockie Ferguson during the auction. However, after a disappointing performance — 5 wickets in 4 matches at an economy of 9.17 — and a hamstring injury, he has been ruled out. Replacing him is fellow Kiwi quick Kyle Jamieson, who joins for ₹2 crore. Jamieson, who last played in IPL 2021 for RCB, took 9 wickets in 9 matches that season.
Gujarat Titans will lose in-form Jos Buttler after May 26 due to England’s national commitments. To fill the void, they’ve signed Sri Lankan batter Kusal Mendis for ₹75 lakh. Mendis, yet to make his IPL debut, replaces Buttler who had scored 500 runs in 11 matches this season at a 71.42 average and 163.93 strike rate, placing him fifth among the tournament’s top scorers.
Lucknow Super Giants suffered a blow with the season-ending injury of young pace sensation Mayank Yadav, who suffered a recurrence of a back issue after returning for just two games. They’ve brought in New Zealand pacer William O’Rourke, aged 23, for ₹3 crore. This marks his first-ever IPL contract.
Ongoing Fallout from Conflict:
The IPL was initially paused after a match in Dharamshala was abandoned, allegedly due to a power outage. It was later revealed that the real reason was a military skirmish between India and Pakistan, including missile strikes near sports facilities, which also forced the Pakistan Super League (PSL) to halt. Both leagues will now resume on May 17.
Despite the restart, player participation remains uncertain, with many cricketers from different nations unwilling to risk travel and involvement under the current geopolitical climate. Franchises are now navigating both logistical challenges and roster reshuffles as they prepare for the final stretch of the 2025 IPL season.
