The India-Pakistan tussle at the border has cast a shadow over the IPL 2025, creating uncertainty about the overseas players’ return for the rest of the tournament.

The BCCI is reportedly working on a new schedule for the remaining 16 IPL matches, following the announcement of ceasefire between India and Pakistan.

Amidst escalating border tensions, the Indian board on Friday (May 9) suspended the cash-rich league with immediate effect for one week.

According to a TOI report, some coaching staff members, including Ricky Ponting, are staying put, a significant number of players have already flown home.

On Saturday evening, Punjab Kings (PBKS) head coach Ponting had boarded the flight from Delhi when he got to know about the ceasefire.

"Kudos to Ricky. He was going home. He even boarded the flight, but the moment we sent him the message that a ceasefire has been announced, he returned. Brad Haddin (assistant coach) is also in," PBKS CEO Satish Menon told TOI.

However, Australian players part of the Punjab squad, including Marcus Stoinis, Josh Inglis, and Xavier Bartlett, have reached home.

Notably, the IPL 2025 match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala was called off midway on Thursday (May 8) due to what the broadcasters called a "technical" issue.

However, IPL chairman Arun Dhumal later admitted in an interview that the stadium was evacuated due to a red alert issued in Jammu. The turn of events triggered panic among the overseas players of all teams.

PBKS are in the race to qualify for the playoffs, and the franchise is optimistic that they will have a full-strength squad once the IPL resumes.

"Our boys will return. Ricky and Brad have set an example. We are waiting for official instruction from the BCCI, and then only will we reach out to our players," said Menon.

The report further claimed that the BCCI and the IPL Governing Council have verbally asked the franchises to assemble their squads for the remaining games, which are likely to start by May 16.

It is learnt that a top overseas player with the Delhi Capitals (DC) has refused to rejoin the team.

"The kitbags of all the cricketers are here in India only. Let's wait and see what happens," TOI quoted a DC official as saying.

While Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have most of their players in India, the West Indian duo of Nicholas Pooran and Shamar Joseph, who were due to depart home on Sunday morning, have been asked to stay back.

"We have most of our players here. We have been told by the BCCI that we'll get a clearer picture by Monday," said an LSG official, as quoted by TOI.

Meanwhile, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) CEO Kasi Viswanathan confirmed that all of their players have reached home.

"All of them have reached home now. We are yet to receive any instruction from the BCCI. Once the official guidelines are shared, then we'll reach out to our players," Kasi told TOI.

When asked whether the overseas recruits are willing to return, Kasi said, "Too early to say anything. It has been crazy few days. Just wait for a couple more days; hopefully, we all will get a clearer picture."

Rajasthan Royals, who are languishing at the ninth spot on the 10-team points table, are confident that their overseas players will return to complete the tournament.

"We are not facing any issue with our overseas contingent. We are anyway out of the playoffs race, so I don't see we will have a problem assembling our squad," a Royals official told TOI.