As the tensions between Pakistan and India grow in the light of ongoing military confrontation along the Line of Control (LoC), the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 has been suspended.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) put off the 2025 IPL “with immediate effect for one week” in the wake of ongoing situation with Pakistan, according to a statement by BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia on Friday.
The decision was made following consultations involving the IPL Governing Council, franchise representatives, broadcasters, sponsors, and security advisors. “The Board considered it prudent to act in the collective interest of all stakeholders,” Saikia said.
Franchises began disbanding shortly after the announcement, with players and staff booking early departures. A revised schedule will be shared after further assessment in coordination with the authorities, according to the statement. All participants agreed that continuing the tournament under current conditions was not viable.
Thursday's IPL match was abandoned midway after fighting began in India's border regions, but the cricket board attributed the disruption to a power failure at the stadium in the hill city of Dharamsala.
The world's richest cricket tournament began its current season on March 22, and the final fixture was scheduled to be played on May 25, with matches being spread over 13 venues across the country.
The nuclear-armed neighbours have been locked in conflict since Wednesday, when India targeted multiple locations in Pakistan, claiming they were "terrorist infrastructure" in response to a deadly attack in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir last month.
New Delhi accused Islamabad of being involved in the Pahalgam attack, a charge Pakistan denied and sought an independent probe.
Pakistan responded to the Indian airstrikes with heavy artillery fire and both sides accused each other on Thursday of carrying out waves of drone attacks.
The UAE has refused to host the remaining IPL 2025 matches in Dubai due to a prior commitment with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
Sources confirmed that India reportedly reached out to the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) with a request to host the remaining IPL 2025 fixtures in the UAE.
However, it was revealed that the PCB had already secured the Dubai venue for the remaining matches of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10.
The PCB finalised these arrangements on the night of May 8th, with an official announcement being made shortly afterward.
Upon receiving the Indian board's request, the ECB informed the BCCI that the venue was already reserved for PSL 10, leaving the IPL plans in limbo.
As a result, the UAE has indefinitely postponed its decision to host IPL matches, citing the unavailability of the Dubai venue.
The Indian board is reportedly exploring the September window to host the remaining IPL matches after the tournament was officially suspended due to unforeseen circumstances.
However, Indian media have noted that this could potentially clash with the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, raising logistical concerns for both tournaments.
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