Most overseas players are back, quality of IPL will remain intact: Arun Dhumal

The Indian Premier League's (IPL) Chairman, Arun Dhumal, believes that the 18th edition of the tournament will retain its quality after its resumption following a one-week suspension, as most overseas players have returned.

Notably, IPL 2025 is set to resume on Saturday, 17th May, as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) host Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Ahead of the clash, Dhumal said it is understandable that some foreign players have chosen national commitments over playing in the IPL, as the business end of the franchise tournament coincides with some important international fixtures. He opined that forcing players to participate in the 10-team tournament would not have been beneficial to the level of cricket played.

“We do understand there are other commitments. There are players who have national commitments. We factored in this bit since we are going a week beyond the original schedule. It’s an in-house challenge. But most of the players have come back, and I am sure the quality of the league will be maintained. There’s no pressure to participate. All players and boards share good relationships with the BCCI and franchises. Pressurising players to participate won’t produce good-quality cricket,” Dhumal told the Times of India.

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Key players missing for RCB in upcoming playoffs round

RCB will be missing the services of a few players in the latter half of the tournament. Josh Hazlewood might return to play for RCB, but not before the playoffs. They are likely to miss the services of Liam Livingstone and Jacob Bethell, who have been named in England's squads to face the West Indies in a white-ball series. Lungi Ngidi will also leave India to join his South African teammates to prepare for the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

RCB are stationed at No. 2 on the IPL points table, and a win on Saturday against the defending champions will secure the Rajat Patidar-led side a place in the playoffs.