The England and Wales Cricket Board has offered to step in and host the remainder of the Indian Premier League later this year, after the tournament was suspended due to growing conflict between India and Pakistan.
Cricket across the region ground to a halt on Friday as matches in both the IPL and the Pakistan Super League were called off or postponed. Schedules were torn up and players told to pack their bags as security fears mounted.
The IPL was paused after Thursday’s match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals was abandoned midway through the first innings. That decision followed reports that a military base near the stadium in Dharamsala had come under attack from missiles and drones. With the floodlights turned off and fans ushered out, players were rushed from the ground, some still in their pads. Travel chaos followed, as teams were forced to remain overnight before taking a train to Delhi with flights grounded across northern India.
With 12 group-stage matches and four playoff games still to be played, the future of the tournament is uncertain. The BCCI has said the league is paused “for a week”, but with international players already leaving, finishing the season in India looks increasingly unlikely.
In response, ECB chief executive Richard Gould has quietly offered support to the BCCI, suggesting England could host the rest of the tournament in September if needed. A senior ECB source confirmed the offer had been made, although “no active discussions” are currently underway.
It wouldn’t be the first time England has offered to help. Back in 2021, a similar proposal was made during the Covid pandemic, though the UAE ultimately hosted that year’s IPL.
Hosting in the UAE now seems off the table. The Emirates Cricket Board initially agreed to stage the final eight PSL fixtures, but reportedly pulled out, wary of being seen as siding with Pakistan during the crisis. That prompted the PCB to suspend its competition entirely, just hours after announcing its move.
In a statement, the PCB said the pause came on the advice of Pakistan’s Prime Minister, and cited both national focus on the military effort and the wellbeing of players. Several English cricketers involved in both tournaments — seven in the PSL and ten in the IPL — are expected to return home this weekend.
Whether either competition resumes remains to be seen. But if the IPL does need a new home, English grounds may yet come to the rescue.