‘Safety comes first’: Mitchell Johnson asks foreign players to skip IPL 2025

As the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 prepares to resume after a break caused by military tensions between Pakistan and India, former Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson has issued a serious warning to overseas players.

"If I had to make a call whether to head back to India and finish the tournament, it would be an easy decision. It's a no from me. Lives and safety are the most important thing, not pay cheques," He wrote in an opinion piece for The West Australian.

The IPL was halted earlier this month after a military standoff between Pakistan and India. While a diplomatic calm has allowed both the IPL and the Pakistan Super League (PSL) to continue, Johnson believes the risk remains and foreign players may feel pressured to return.

He pointed towards reports that the Indian cricket board was quietly pushing to bring back international players, even from teams that have already been knocked out of the tournament. For example, Cummins and Head are expected to rejoin Sunrisers Hyderabad despite their team being out of the playoffs race.

“Cricketers are not just athletes, they are ambassadors,” wrote Johnson, adding that when safety was at stake, no one should be coerced or feel pressured to return even if leagues push hard for it.

South Africa has already taken a strong stance, asking all its players to return home by May 26 regardless of the IPL schedule. Cricket Australia, however, has left the decision up to individual players.

The situation becomes even more difficult with the World Test Championship final set to begin just eight days after the IPL ends on June 3. Players like Cummins, who are expected to play in the final, may face challenges in terms of recovery, preparation and avoiding burnout.

Although Johnson acknowledged the IPL's role in bringing people together in South Asia, he ended with a clear message. “Cricket is a source of pride and unity for fans. But the well-being of players and spectators must always come first,” he wrote.

As the IPL restarts in a region still dealing with political tensions, Johnson’s words could influence both players and cricket boards. While it is uncertain if his warning will lead to any changes, his message is clear.