BCCI informs franchises to assemble players for IPL 2025 restart by May 13: Report
Mumbai: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly asked all Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises, except Punjab Kings, to report to their respective venues by Tuesday, May 13.
The BCCI has verbally informed franchises that a revised schedule is being prepared, with the aim of restarting the league immediately following the ceasefire announcement between India and Pakistan, as reported by The Indian Express on Sunday.
Teams have further been advised to communicate travel plans to their overseas players at the earliest.
There are 12 matches still left, and the BCCI is reportedly looking to incorporate more double-headers to ensure the tournament concludes on its originally scheduled date of May 25.
“All franchises have been told to inform its team to report to their respective destination by Tuesday. Punjab will have a neutral venue, so their destination is yet to be confirmed. The board is planning to have more double headers so that they can finish the IPL as per its scheduled day,” TIE quoted its source in the Indian board as saying.
Following the suspension of the league last Friday due to escalating border tensions, the BCCI had reportedly shortlisted Chennai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad as possible venues for the remaining fixtures. However, final decisions will be taken after thorough consultations with the government.
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Brazil's Ancelotti raises doubts about whether Neymar will reach the 2026 World Cup
Sao Paulo (AP): Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti raised doubts about whether Neymar will be in his squad for the 2026 World Cup. The Italian has yet to pick the former captain since he took over in May.
“If Neymar deserves to be (in the squad), if he is, well, better than others, he will play in the World Cup and that's it. (But) I don't have debts to anyone,” Ancelotti said at a press conference in Washington on Friday following the draw.
Brazil is in Group C with Morocco, Haiti and Scotland.
“If we speak about Neymar, we have to speak about other players,” Ancelotti added. “We have to think about Brazil with or without Neymar, with or without other players. Our final list we will make after the FIFA fixtures in March.”
The 33-year-old Neymar has never fully recovered from a torn ACL in October 2023 during a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay. But he's been key for Santos in its fight to avoid relegation in the Brazilian championship.
On Wednesday, he scored a hat trick for Santos despite a muscular injury. He is expected to play again on Sunday against Cruzeiro.
Ancelotti said Brazil does not have a “referential player” at the moment, a tag for the most valuable player that Neymar has mainly worn since the 2014 home World Cup.
“We have one of the world's best goalkeepers, some of the best defenders, top midfielders and some players up front. I don't want players who want to be the best in the world, I want players who want to win the World Cup,” Ancelotti said.
Asked about his team's group, Ancelotti said Brazil can top it.
“We can win all three matches, our idea is very clear. We need to be competitive during the entire World Cup. Our goal is to play in the final and for that to happen you need to face very strong teams anyway.”
Brazil won the last of its five World Cup trophies in 2002.
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