Even as BCCI awaits government approval for IPL resume, Gujarat Titans kickstart training in Ahmedabad.
PBKS coaches Ricky Ponting, Brad Haddin remain in India. Stay tuned to BRG365 for updates.
GT's Early Training
Despite the suspended IPL 2025 season hanging in limbo, the Shubman Gill-led Gujarat Titans have taken proactive steps toward normalization.
The table-toppers conducted a rigorous three-hour net session at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday (May 11), with key players like Gill, Mohammed Siraj, and foreign stars Kagiso Rabada and Sherfane Rutherford in attendance.
GCA officials confirmed the session lasted from 5:30 pm to 9 pm, emphasizing the team’s determination to stay prepared for an eventual IPL resume.
“They were to disperse today, but the ceasefire announcement and talks of an early resumption convinced them to stay,” a GT insider told Cricbuzz.
Notably, only Jos Buttler (England) and Gerald Coetzee (South Africa) returned home, with the rest of the squad—including overseas players—opting to remain in Ahmedabad.
PBKS Coaching Stays Committed
In a contrasting yet complementary development, Punjab Kings’ coaching trio of Ricky Ponting, Brad Haddin, and James Hopes chose to remain in India despite most overseas players departing.
This decision contradicts initial reports of restlessness among Australian staff members following the abandoned PBKS-Delhi Capitals game in Dharamsala.
Ponting’s leadership was pivotal in reassuring players amid chaos. “The foreign players were anxious, but Ponting convinced them to stay post-ceasefire,” a source told Republic World.
The BCCI arranged a special train to evacuate personnel from Dharamsala to Delhi, after which the coaching staff stayed back to strategize for the IPL resume.
BCCI’s Critical Meeting on Monday
With the ceasefire stabilizing the situation, the BCCI is expected to finalize the IPL resume timeline during a Monday (May 12) meeting with government officials.
A top IPL official revealed，the board will seek clarity on hosting the remaining 16 matches, including playoffs, potentially in South Indian cities like Chennai and Bengaluru.
GT (16 points) and PBKS (15 points) remain in prime playoff positions, but the fate of the abandoned Dharamsala game—whether teams share points or replay—is yet to be decided. The BCCI aims to conclude the tournament by May 30, likely through doubleheaders.
Strategic Edge
GT’s training focus aligns with their pursuit of a Top 2 finish, crucial for playoff advantage.
Their trio of Sai Sudharsan (509 runs), Gill (508), and Buttler (500) dominate the Orange Cap race, while Prasidh Krishna’s 20 wickets lead the Purple Cap standings.
For PBKS, retaining Ponting’s tactical acumen could be decisive.
The team’s 15 points from 11 games keep them in contention, but their overseas contingent—including Marcus Stoinis and Josh Inglis—must regroup post-IPL resume.
As stakeholders await the BCCI’s formal announcement, GT’s disciplined approach and PBKS’ coaching stability underscore the franchises’ resolve to reclaim the tournament’s momentum.
