Sunil Gavaskar Calls for Subdued Resumption of IPL 2025
Indian cricket commentator and former captain, Sunil Gavaskar, has made a heartfelt appeal to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for the remainder of the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) to be a more somber and respectful manner. His call for a "quiet" tournament comes as the league prepares to resume on May 17th, following a one-week suspension due to security concerns stemming from India-Pakistan tensions.
Call for Somber Approach to Remaining Matches
Gavaskar suggested that in light of recent events in the country, the typical fanfare associated with IPL matches should be toned down. "What I would really like to see is... no music. Let's not have the DJs screaming in the middle of an over," he stated in an interview with Sports Today. He further elaborated, "None of that. Let the games be played. Let the crowds come in... It's just no dancing girls, nothing. Just cricket would be a really nice way to respect the sentiment of the families who have lost their near and dear ones."
Tournament Set to Continue amidst New Considerations
The IPL 2025 was temporarily halted after the match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala on May 8th was abandoned midway due to security alerts related to cross-border attacks by Pakistan. The tournament is now scheduled to restart on May 17th with a fixture between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Kolkata Knight Riders in Bengaluru, with approximately 15-16 matches remaining. The abandoned Punjab vs Delhi game is reportedly set to be replayed on May 24th in Jaipur.
A potential complication for the resumed league is its overlap with the international cricket calendar, which may affect the availability of some overseas players from England, South Africa, and Australia for their respective franchises. Sunil Gavaskar's suggestion for a more restrained atmosphere during the remaining IPL 2025 matches reflects a desire to acknowledge the serious national context while allowing the popular cricket tournament to conclude.
