New Delhi: The Indian Premier League 2025 has been suspended indefinitely following a dramatic escalation in military tensions between India and Pakistan. The trigger: a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir on April 22, which has since plunged the region into high alert.
The decision to halt the tournament came a day after the Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals match in Dharamsala was abandoned midway due to air raid alerts in nearby Jammu and Pathankot. With safety concerns mounting, the BCCI called an emergency meeting and announced the suspension on Friday, emphasizing that the well-being of players, staff, and fans remains its top priority.
As things stood, the IPL caravan had just arrived in Lucknow, where the Lucknow Super Giants were set to face Royal Challengers Bengaluru. That match, along with the 12 remaining league games and four crucial knockout fixtures — including the May 25 final in Kolkata — now hangs in limbo.
“It does not look nice that cricket goes on while the country is at war,” a senior BCCI official told PTI, summing up the sentiment behind the tough call.
Despite initial reassurances from IPL chairman Arun Dhumal that the Lucknow game on May 9 would go ahead, the rapidly deteriorating security situation forced a change of course. “We’re reviewing the situation. It’s evolving quickly. Any decisions will be made in consultation with the government,” Dhumal said.
The IPL suspension has also prompted reactions from international cricket boards. With several foreign players and coaches participating in the tournament, Cricket Australia issued a statement saying it was monitoring the situation and staying in touch with its players and staff in India.
Foreign players across franchises are now expected to return home amid growing security concerns.
Tensions reached a breaking point on Wednesday night, when Pakistan reportedly launched a coordinated drone and missile attack on 15 Indian cities — including key areas in Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat. Locations hit included Awantipora, Srinagar, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Bathinda, and Bhuj, among others.
In response, India launched a retaliatory strike early Friday, using kamikaze drones to take out a Pakistani air defence site near Lahore. Indian air defence systems also intercepted further attempted strikes in Jammu, including in Satwari, RS Pura, Arnia, and Samba, averting potential disaster.
With the region on edge and no sign of immediate de-escalation, the BCCI has confirmed that the IPL will remain on hold until further notice. A revised schedule will be announced once the situation stabilizes
