The Indian Premier League (IPL) was brought to an abrupt halt on Friday, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announcing the indefinite suspension of the tournament in light of the intensifying military confrontation between India and Pakistan.
Speculation over the fate of the league had been building ever since Thursday’s game between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala was called off midway. The match was disrupted after just 10.1 overs due to air raid alerts in the neighbouring cities of Jammu and Pathankot, prompting a swift evacuation of players and fans from the venue.
The decision to suspend the tournament, which was scheduled to conclude on May 25 in Kolkata, was confirmed by a senior BCCI official who underscored the inappropriateness of continuing with sport during such a tense national moment. “It does not look nice that cricket goes on while the country is at war,” the official told PTI, marking a rare and somber pause in what is typically India’s most celebrated cricketing event.
The ongoing edition of the IPL had already been under a cloud, with players, especially foreign recruits, growing uneasy amid rising geopolitical tensions. The cancellation of matches and restricted air travel in the northern region added further complexity to logistics and security planning.
As the focus shifts to the national interest and the safety of all involved, cricket fans across the country now wait to see when and if the remainder of IPL 2025 will resume.
