IPL 2025 suspended for a week amid escalating India-Pakistan tensions

IPL 2025 suspended for a week amid escalating India-Pakistan tensions

Amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) suspended Indian Premier League 2025 on May 9. Following the suspension, the BCCI is deliberating the next course of action. However, the Indian cricket board is focused on ensuring the safe return of players, coaches and officials.

Sources told India Today that many of the overseas players and officials are set to return to their respective countries as early as Friday. The BCCI will facilitate their travel arrangements.

The suspension was prompted by ongoing military conflict and escalating security concerns after the April 22 terror attacks in Pahalgam. An emergency meeting between IPL officials and the BCCI concluded that the safety of players, staff, and fans must be prioritised. The BCCI is unlikely to announce any resumption date immediately as it will work with the government and follow its directives in the time of conflict.

"Players spectators and support staffs safety is our priority we will do everything what is in best interest of nations. We are monitoring the situation and Will take call accordingly,” BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia told India Today after PBKS vs DC was suspended midway.

Concerns over the safety of overseas players had already been mounting. With several international cricketers and coaches involved in the tournament, Cricket Australia issued a statement on Friday expressing its commitment to closely monitoring the volatile situation between India and Pakistan.

The situation intensified on May 8 when the IPL 2025 match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals was called off mid-game due to air strike alerts. Spectators were evacuated swiftly, sparking widespread concerns over the tournament’s future.

Although IPL chairman Arun Dhumal had initially assured that the 9 May match between Lucknow Super Giants and Royal Challengers Bengaluru would go ahead, the growing tension led to the decision to suspend the tournament indefinitely. Dhumal confirmed that the BCCI is coordinating with government agencies and will follow official safety directives.

The escalation began on Wednesday night when the Pakistani Army launched a series of drone and missile strikes targeting 15 cities in India. In retaliation, India launched a counter-offensive on Friday morning, deploying kamikaze drones to disable a Pakistani air defence system near Lahore. Indian air defence systems intercepted further threats in Jammu, adding to the tensions.

While IPL 2025 was already dpone with 58 matches out of the allotted 74, BCCI has not yet provided a clear timeline for when IPL 2025 might resume. However, there is speculation that the tournament could be potentially held during a window between August and September. This, however, might clash with India’s planned tour of Bangladesh and the Asia Cup, both of which now hang in the balance due to the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan, as well as the delicate diplomatic situation with Bangladesh.

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