India’s most commercially successful cricket tournament, the Indian Premier League (IPL), was disrupted due to the war with Pakistan. The tournament was suspended for a week amidst the conflict. After a ceasefire was agreed upon between the two countries, the IPL has resumed. However, many foreign cricketers have not returned to the tournament post-suspension.
Some believe this might diminish the glamour and appeal of the IPL, but IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal disagrees.
He stated, “The decision to suspend the IPL was a very sensitive one. We had to prioritize the safety of the players. But there was never any reason to fear for the IPL’s future. We suspended the league purely as a precautionary measure. Sometimes, the emotions of the nation must come first.”
He further added, “In such times, we must always stand by the country and our soldiers. After the ceasefire, we held discussions with franchises and broadcasters and decided that this was the best time to conclude the league. Later, many players will become busy with international commitments.”
The authorities are not taking any action against the foreign players who chose not to return due to safety concerns. Dhumal said, “We understand that the players have their own commitments to their respective national boards.”
