With the Indian Premier League 2025 set to resume after a week-long suspension, cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has called on the BCCI to tone down the entertainment and focus solely on the sport for the remainder of the tournament, in light of recent national tragedies.
IPL 2025 returns amid rising regional tensions
The ongoing season of the IPL, which was briefly halted due to escalating cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan, will restart on May 17 with a clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. The high-stakes fixture marks the return of the tournament after it was suspended over security concerns, notably during a league match between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Delhi Capitals (DC) in Dharamsala, which had to be abandoned mid-game.
Given the backdrop of national mourning and heightened security concerns, Gavaskar has appealed to the BCCI to make the remaining games a more somber, respectful affair.
Gavaskar: “Just cricket” as a tribute to affected families
Speaking to Sports Today, Gavaskar emphasized the need to strip away the non-cricketing fanfare for the remaining matches—roughly 15 to 16 games left in the tournament.
“What I would really like to see is that these are the last few matches, we have had about 60 games or thereabouts. I think it is the last 15 or 16 games. I would sincerely hope, because of what has happened and some families have lost their near and dear ones, I would like that there is no music. Let’s not have the DJs screaming in the middle of an over.”
Gavaskar continued, calling for the removal of all on-ground entertainment such as cheerleaders and loud music in the stadiums:
“None of that. Let the games be played. Let the crowds come in. Let’s just have a tournament, the balance of a tournament. 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.”
IPL schedule reshuffled; rescheduled match on May 24
Following the suspension, the BCCI has extended the tournament into June. The previously abandoned PBKS vs DC fixture is now scheduled to be replayed on May 24 in Jaipur, reflecting the board’s efforts to adjust the calendar while addressing safety concerns.
A call for sensitivity in sports entertainment
Gavaskar’s remarks underscore a growing conversation about the role of sports in times of national crisis. As cricket continues to be a cultural unifier, his appeal to the BCCI positions the IPL not just as entertainment, but as a platform capable of honoring collective grief and national sentiment.
By suggesting a stripped-down version of the tournament’s typically high-octane presentation, Gavaskar is advocating for a show of solidarity—“just cricket,” in his words—as the league returns to action.
