The 2025 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been suspended indefinitely due to heightened military tensions between India and Pakistan, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed on Friday.
The decision follows mounting security concerns that led to the abrupt cancellation of the Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals match in Dharamsala. The fixture, which had already been delayed by rain, was called off mid-play after floodlights at the stadium failed. While initially attributed to a technical malfunction, the situation quickly escalated when players and officials were alerted to nearby air raid warnings.
Dharamsala, located less than 100 kilometres from Pathankot—a region where air raid sirens had recently sounded—was deemed too close to the escalating conflict zone. The BCCI, in consultation with Indian government authorities, subsequently decided to halt the tournament.
“We have decided to indefinitely suspend the IPL. The players’ safety is our utmost priority,” a senior BCCI source told the Hindustan Times. “We’ll decide later if and when the tournament can resume. Right now, national interest is of utmost importance.”
According to reports in The Indian Express, the sudden stoppage of the match caused “panic” among both sets of players, with foreign players particularly anxious about the developing situation. Australian media had earlier reported that several of their players were prepared to leave the country over safety concerns.
Journalists Devendra Pandey and Venkata Krishna B further reported that an official announcement had been imminent, with BCCI officials acknowledging that the present circumstances were unsuitable for continuing the tournament.
This marks a rare and dramatic interruption to one of cricket’s most commercially successful leagues, as the region’s political situation spills over into the sporting domain. The BCCI is expected to provide further updates as the situation evolves.