The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has suspended the remainder of the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) for one week starting Friday, following heightened military tensions between India and Pakistan.
The move follows Thursday night’s air raid sirens and power blackouts in parts of northern India, alongside escalating cross-border military action. The suspension was confirmed after Thursday’s IPL match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala was abruptly halted amid alerts in nearby cities including Jammu and Pathankot. The IPL 2025 final, originally scheduled for May 25 in Kolkata, is now under review. The decision comes in the wake of India’s missile strikes on terror camps across the border in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. These strikes follow the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that left 26 civilians dead.
In a statement, BCCI Honorary Secretary Devajit Saikia said the suspension was made after consultations with franchise owners, broadcasters, and other key stakeholders. “It does not look appropriate for cricket to continue while the nation faces a serious conflict,” a senior BCCI official said. The BCCI’s release stated: “While cricket remains a national passion, there is nothing greater than the nation and its sovereignty. The Board expresses solidarity with the Government of India, the Armed Forces, and the people of the country.” Meanwhile, the Pakistan Super League (PSL) has also been relocated to the UAE due to security threats. In India, blackouts and alerts were reported across Punjab and Chandigarh, including cities such as Amritsar, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Mohali, and Pathankot.
The BCCI also thanked league broadcaster Jiostar, title sponsor TATA, and other commercial partners for backing the decision. Updates on the revised IPL schedule and venues will follow after further security assessments.
