New Delhi: The Indian Premier League is all set to resume on May 16, as confirmed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The high-octane T20 tournament, which was briefly suspended amid rising military tensions between India and Pakistan, will now pick up from where it left off, starting with a clash between Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).

According to senior BCCI officials, the remaining fixtures will be spread across multiple venues. The first qualifier and the eliminator are likely to be hosted in Hyderabad, while Kolkata is expected to stage the second qualifier and the final on either May 30 or June 1. However, in case of bad weather in Kolkata, contingency plans are already in place — the matches may be shifted to Ahmedabad.

The league faced an unexpected pause after the May 9 encounter between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala was called off midway due to nearby airstrikes in Jammu and Pathankot. This incident prompted the BCCI to put the tournament on hold as a precautionary measure, reflecting the gravity of the situation along the border.

As a result, the Punjab-Delhi match has been officially declared abandoned, with both teams sharing one point each. No replays or rescheduling of the halted fixture will be conducted.

The board has assured fans and franchises that a revised schedule will be made public soon, with updated venues and timings. The move to resume the IPL reflects both a return to sporting normalcy and the resilience of Indian cricket in the face of external tensions.

Cricket fans across the country can now look forward to the thrilling remainder of the tournament, as playoff drama and the race to the title take center stage once again.