The Indian Premier League (IPL) has been suspended due to security concerns stemming from the recent conflict between India and Pakistan.
The decision was made today (9 May) to suspend the current IPL season for a week, with the IPL Governing Council set to announce a new schedule and venues for fixtures “in due course”.
This comes following the match abandonment of the fixture between Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings on Thursday (8 May) due to a failure with stadium floodlights. Players were subsequently evacuated from the Sher-I-Kashmir Cricket Stadium and the city due to rising tensions between India and Pakistan.
An IPL statement read: “The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to suspend the remainder of the ongoing TATA IPL 2025 with immediate effect for one week. Further updates regarding the new schedule and venues of the tournament will be announced in due course after a comprehensive assessment of the situation in consultation with relevant authorities and stakeholders
“The decision was taken by the IPL Governing Council after due consultation with all key stakeholders following the representations from most of the franchisees, who conveyed the concern and sentiments of their players, and also the views of the broadcaster, sponsors and fans; while the BCCI reposes full faith in the strength and preparedness of our armed forces, the Board considered it prudent to act in the collective interest of all stakeholders.
“At this critical juncture, the BCCI stands firmly with the nation. We express our solidarity with the Government of India, the Armed Forces and the people of our country.”
Pakistan cricket takes similar approach
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has also announced that the remaining eight fixtures of the current Pakistan Super League (PSL) season will be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The fixtures were scheduled to take place in Rawalpindi, Multana and Lahore, but will now be staged in the UAE due to similar security concerns involving players, fans and staff.
Chair of the PCB, Moshin Naqvi, cited the “dangerous Indian act of targeting the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium” as a cause to move fixtures out of Pakistan.
He stated: “The PCB has always stood by the position that politics and sports need to be kept apart. However, in view of the extremely irresponsible and dangerous Indian act of targeting the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, which was manifestly done to disrupt the ongoing HBL Pakistan Super League X, the PCB has decided to shift the remaining matches to UAE so that the domestic as well as foreign cricketers, who are our precious guests, can be saved from the possible reckless targeting by India.
“As a responsible organisation that has overcome adversities repeatedly and ensured that the game of cricket flourishes, it was important for us to ensure the mental well-being of all players participating in the HBL PSL.
“I regret that our domestic audience and cricket lovers will not be able to watch these matches in Pakistan’s stadiums. Like in the past, we hope that our stakeholders will rally with us to further the best interests of the tournament, our players and the fans. We are committed to ensuring that the league continues to thrive.”
The IPL is one of the most-watched sports leagues in the world. The league accumulated a total viewership of 620 million on broadcaster JioCinema, with 546 million tuning in on Star Sports for the 2024 season.
The last time the IPL shut down was due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the 2020 and second half of the 2021 seasons being held in the UAE.
BBC Sports reported that international IPL players will be leaving India soon, with some English players having already returned. Australian players are also expected to return home via the backing of Cricket Australia.
