The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 has come to an unexpected pause, with players — especially international ones — already beginning to depart for their home countries. This development follows the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)’s announcement that the tournament will be suspended for a week. Despite the formal statement describing the break as temporary, it appears teams are making arrangements for an indefinite exit, at least for now.
Tensions rose sharply after the match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals at Dharamsala’s HPCA Stadium was abruptly called off midway on Thursday. Security concerns were cited as the reason, sparking a wave of anxiety among players, particularly those from abroad. According to a prominent publication, several overseas players were in “a lot of panic” following the incident, prompting swift decisions regarding their immediate departure.
In the aftermath, the BCCI moved quickly to assist players with travel arrangements. “They will be heading back home, we will help with all the logistics but every foreign player and members of the support staff will be headed back to their respective country. Depending on what is decided in the future, a call will be taken on them returning for the league. But as now, they will be headed back home,” an IPL official told the newspaper. A team representative echoed this, stating, “All players will be headed back home, including the overseas players.”
While franchises like Mumbai Indians plan to regroup briefly in Mumbai before dispersing, others such as Royal Challengers Bengaluru, currently in Lucknow, will be leaving directly from their present locations.
The suspension has introduced uncertainty about the future of the 2025 season, with player safety now firmly in the spotlight as organizers contemplate the next steps.
