This is an archive article published on May 13, 2025
IPL 2025 restart: Sunil Gavaskar wants no more ‘dancing girls’, ‘screaming DJs’ this season
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said on Monday that the remainder of the season will be played across six venues starting on May 17
Cheerleaders are seen during an IPL 2025 match between Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala. (Sportzpics for IPL)
Batting great Sunil Gavaskar has called for the remainder of the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season to be conducted without music, cheerleaders and DJs whipping up crowds in the stadiums as a mark of respect to the families who lost their loved ones in the recent conflict between India and Pakistan. The IPL was suspended due to rising tensions between the two countries but is now set to resume on May 17.
“I would sincerely hope, because of what has happened and some families have lost their near and dear ones, I would like all the paraphernalia that goes on with it not to be there,” Gavaskar said on Sports Today.
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“Just the game to be played. Let the crowds come in (but) let’s not have music, let’s not have the DJs screaming in the middle of an over, none of that. Let’s just have sport, no dancing girls, nothing. Just cricket. That would be a really nice way to respect the sentiment of the families who have lost their near and dear ones,” he added.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said on Monday that the remainder of the IPL 2025 season will be played across six venues starting on May 17. The final has been pushed to June 3 and the playoffs will be played on May 29, 30 and June 1. “Venue details for the playoff matches will be announced at a later stage,” the board further stated. The new schedule will feature two double-headers, which will be played on two Sundays.
By extension, the board also confirmed that the suspended IPL 2025 match between the Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals will be replayed. The game was suspended on May 8 in Dharamsala, with the stadium lights going off after the first ball of the 11th over. News then came in that the venue had been evacuated.
Cheerleaders are seen during an IPL 2025 match between Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala. (Sportzpics for IPL) 
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