Srinagar: Former England captain Michael Vaughan has come out with an idea for BCCI to host remaining matches of now suspended IPL 2025 in United Kingdom amid the growing military tensions between India and Pakistan.
IPL was on Friday suspended with BCCI making it clear that the decision has been taken only for a week. However, the tournament’s future hangs in the balance in the ongoing season. With tensions between India and Pakistan flaring, it may take some time for things to return to normalcy, and until then, you can kiss the IPL goodbye.
Now Michael Vaughan has come up with a idea that can help both the board and Indian players. The IPL has, over the years, due to various reasons, been played outside of India. South Africa in 2009, one-half of the 2014 season in the UAE and again in 2020 and the second half of the 2021 edition due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Vaughan suggests the BCCI could complete the IPL in England, an idea that seems feasible given Indian cricket’s future tour.
“I wonder if it’s possible to finish the IPL in the UK. We have all the venues, and the Indian players can then stay on for the Test series. Just a thought?” Vaughan posted on X.
If the BCCI deems it feasible, the prospect is exciting. India is set to tour England for a five-match Test series starting June 20, with Headingley’s Leeds Cricket Ground hosting the opener. The Test squad will be finalised in the coming week, and the selected players will depart for the United Kingdom soon after. Should the IPL resume in England, it would not only secure venues but also allow players to acclimatise to local conditions. While white-ball and red-ball cricket differ significantly, the lack of time for practice matches – barring a single intra-squad game – makes this an unexpected advantage for Indian cricket.