IPL 2025 : Shreyas Iyer shuts down foreign players’ availability concerns with a fiery one-liner

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After a sudden week-long suspension due to escalating military tensions between India and Pakistan, the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is all set to resume tonight with Royal Challengers Bengaluru locking horns with Kolkata Knight Riders at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. The break was enforced after drone attacks near Jammu and Pathankot created national security concerns, culminating in a blackout during the May 8 match between Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings.

Now, with a ceasefire in place and clearance from the authorities, cricket finally returns—bringing back the thrill and drama fans have been waiting for. The Bengaluru crowd is expected to turn out in full force as two heavyweights battle it out to regain momentum in the race to the playoffs.

Despite the restart, there’s a cloud of uncertainty surrounding the availability of several international players, which could significantly alter team dynamics. With the World Test Championship Final between Australia and South Africa scheduled for June 11, the BCCI has asked franchises to release eight South African players by May 26.

This means stars like Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, and Heinrich Klaasen could miss the crucial final phase of the tournament. Australian players like Josh Hazlewood and Marcus Stoinis are also likely to depart early due to national commitments, making things trickier for their respective teams. Fans, too, are set to miss watching some of their favourite overseas performers during the high-stakes matches.

Also READ: IPL 2025 resumes: Date, Match Time, Broadcast and Live Streaming details for the remaining matches

Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer offered a strong and clear response amid all the speculation surrounding the availability of foreign stars. In a video shared by the franchise on their official social media platform, two men are seen discussing the uncertainty around players like Inglis, Stoinis, Hazlewood, and Jansen returning for the remainder of the tournament.

Breaking the conversation with confidence, Iyer remarks, “The guys who you are talking about are really talented. But you should remember this is the Indian Premier League.”

His statement serves as both a reassurance and a reminder—highlighting the strength of Indian domestic talent and the league’s identity, even in the face of foreign player withdrawals.

Yatra pratibha avsara prapnotihi! ❤️

— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) May 17, 2025

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