The IPL Governing Council had already begun emergency deliberations in light of the situation.
Mumbai: The 2025 edition of the Indian Premier League has been suspended as tensions between India and Pakistan intensify. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has been holding continuous discussions since last night, assessing all possible scenarios. With growing national sentiment and security concerns, the board has decided it is best not to continue with the tournament at this time.
The decision follows reports of growing anxiety among overseas players across franchises. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), scheduled to play against Lucknow Super Giants in Lucknow tonight, expressed a desire to return home amidst the rising uncertainty.
This development comes just a day after the Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals match in Dharamsala was postponed. That decision followed Pakistan’s firing of eight missiles toward locations including Satwari, Samba, RS Pura, and Arnia—all of which were successfully intercepted by Indian air defence systems.
The IPL Governing Council had already begun emergency deliberations in light of the situation. Previously, the Punjab Kings vs Mumbai Indians fixture was shifted to the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad due to airspace closures over Dharamsala and nearby regions.
Following the cancellation of the PBKS vs DC match, players, officials, and broadcast crews returned to their hotel. They are scheduled to leave Dharamsala today (May 9) via a special train arranged by the BCCI.
“We’re organising a train to bring everyone back safely. The match has been called off, and the stadium evacuated,” confirmed BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla. “We will decide on the tournament’s future based on tomorrow’s situation, but player safety is our top priority.”
Although no IPL venue has been directly targeted, the overall security climate has prompted this unprecedented pause in the league to ensure the well-being of all involved and to respect the prevailing national sentiment.
Even before the suspension was made official, franchises such as Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians had already begun travelling to their respective venues for upcoming matches, reflecting the uncertainty leading up to the decision.