After the suspension of the tournament, BCCI will look to conduct IPL 2025 Phase II in September in expense of Asia Cup 2025.
With IPL 2025 suspended for a week and no clarity on when it could resume, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is in a precarious position. But that’s what the world thinks, not the BCCI. The Phase II of IPL has the best window during the Asia Cup 2025 in the third week of September. That way, BCCI can force the Asia Cup to be cancelled and hurt the new Asian Cricket Council President from Pakistan, Mohsin Naqvi, and still complete IPL after a break. It will be a win-win scenario for both BCC and India, which is now dragged into a cross-border tension by Pakistan.
Asia Cup has a 19-day window in September with at least two India vs Pakistan matches guaranteed for the broadcaster’s revenue purposes. However, the tournament is now Naqvi’s headache. Considering Naqvi is the interior minister of Pakistan, India would not play in the Asia Cup. It will not only be bad for India’s optics, but the government won’t allow the India Cricket Team to compete.
“It is extremely bad optics if cricket continues when there is a possibility of war with a rogue nation (Pakistan). Sports can continue when everything is normal. Plus, it is very natural for foreign players and coaches to be wary and wanting to return home,” a senior BCCI official told PTI.
No Asia Cup in 2025
As InsideSport earlier reported that there won’t be any Asia Cup in 2025, which would have been played in T20 format ahead of the T20 World Cup.
Until May 8, the India-Pakistan tension seemed to be in control. However, with Pakistan attacking India with 300-400 drones, targeting military and civilians in the veil of darkness, that situation has escalated quickly. There is no situation in 2025, at least, where India can play Pakistan in a cricket match.
Thus, the future of the Asian Cricket Council looks bleak, as former India captain Sunil Gavaskar suggested. But, how does that help BCCI and the IPL?
IPL 2025 Phase II
It does help. No Asia Cup means, the official broadcaster (Sony) will demand compensation from Naqvi’s ACC. Naqvi could force the Asia Cup to continue, adding associate nations like Oman, UAE, or even Hong Kong. But if there is no India vs Pakistan cricket match, it will be almost impossible for the ACC to satisfy the broadcaster’s revenue. Hence, it will be Naqvi’s loss of face, thus also Pakistan’s.
With that window cleared up, BCCI can complete IPL 2025 Phase II. There are only 16 matches left in the tournament, and it could be completed within two weeks, with a few double headers.
Is there a window?
BCCI has a March-May window to complete IPL. Other windows are occupied. The window also ensures that all foreign players can compete in the league.
- June-Aug 4: India tour of England (including India A tour)
- August: The Hundred & South Africa tour of Australia
- Aug-Sep: Caribbean Premier League
- September: England vs South Africa
In September, although England host South Africa for a white-ball series (3 ODIs and 3 T20Is), BCCI can negotiate players’ release for the IPL. Australia also have no matches scheduled during September. That window could be ideal for BCCI to conclude IPL 2025.
October-November-December won’t be available for IPL as India will host the Women’s ODI World Cup, while there is the Ashes in November-December. Australia will also host India for a full white-ball series in October.
Hence, to have IPL 2025 Phase II in place of Asia Cup, it will be a win-win for both the BCCI and India.
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