The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has stunned fans with a major decision in its revised IPL 2025 schedule. While announcing the resumption of the remaining matches — starting May 17 and culminating in the final on June 3 — the BCCI also declared that five Indian cities will no longer host any matches this season.
Why Were These Cities Excluded?
According to BCCI sources, the exclusion is based primarily on security concerns following recent border tensions between India and Pakistan. The five cities in question are considered geographically closer to India’s international borders, making them higher-risk venues in the current climate.
Cities Banned from Hosting IPL 2025 Matches
The following cities will not host any further matches this season:
- Dharamsala (Himachal Pradesh)
- Chennai (Tamil Nadu)
- Kolkata (West Bengal)
- Hyderabad (Telangana)
- Mullanpur (Punjab)
While some of these cities are not directly on the border, their relative proximity or political sensitivity has led the BCCI to err on the side of caution. For example:
- Dharamsala, near Jammu and Kashmir, had a match cancelled mid-tournament due to border tension.
- Chennai and Hyderabad also reportedly face logistical and team performance issues, with their franchises effectively out of the playoff race.
IPL 2025 Matches Will Now Be Held in Only 6 Cities
With this change, the remaining matches will now be confined to:
- Bengaluru
- Jaipur
- Delhi
- Lucknow
- Mumbai
- Ahmedabad
These cities are considered safe and logistically favorable under the current circumstances. They are also located far from sensitive border areas.
Implications for Teams and Fans
- Franchises like CSK (Chennai Super Kings), SRH (Sunrisers Hyderabad), and PBKS (Punjab Kings) with alternate venues such as Mullanpur and Dharamsala, may now play remaining games in neutral cities.
- Fans in the banned cities will miss out on live home matches, possibly affecting local fan engagement and revenue.
- The decision underscores the BCCI’s focus on security and centralized logistics during a politically sensitive time.
In Summary
The BCCI’s decision to limit IPL 2025 to six cities may be disappointing for many fans, but it's driven by strategic safety concerns. With tensions easing but not fully resolved, the board has chosen to minimize risk and ensure the tournament concludes smoothly and securely.
