BCCI Suspends IPL Matches Indefinitely Amid Escalating India-Pakistan Tensions

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 has been suspended indefinitely amid rising military tensions between India and Pakistan, following the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the decision after an emergency meeting, prioritising the safety of players, officials, and fans.

The move comes just a day after the Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals match in Dharamsala was abandoned midway due to air raid alerts in nearby Jammu and Pathankot. The sudden evacuation of spectators raised serious doubts over the tournament’s continuation.

A senior BCCI official told PTI, “It does not look nice that cricket goes on while the country is at war.” The suspension leaves the remainder of the season, which was supposed to conclude on May 25 in Kolkata, hanging in uncertainty.

Initially, IPL chairman Arun Dhumal had suggested that the May 9 clash between Lucknow Super Giants and Royal Challengers Bengaluru would proceed, but worsening security led to a change in plans.

“We are reviewing the situation. It is evolving rapidly. Any decision will be made in consultation with government agencies and based on logistical considerations,” Dhumal told PTI.

The BCCI confirmed that the IPL is suspended until further notice, adding that they are in close coordination with authorities and awaiting official guidance.

The development has drawn global attention. Cricket Australia released a statement on Friday confirming it was monitoring the situation closely and maintaining communication with its players and staff in India.

Tensions escalated on Wednesday night as the Pakistani Army launched a coordinated series of drone and missile strikes targeting 15 Indian cities. Among the locations attacked were Awantipora and Srinagar in Jammu & Kashmir; Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Kapurthala, Adampur, and Bathinda in Punjab; Chandigarh; Nal, Phalodi, and Uttarlai in Rajasthan; and Bhuj in Gujarat.

In retaliation, India launched a counter-offensive on Friday morning, deploying kamikaze drones to destroy a Pakistani air defence installation near Lahore. Additionally, several attempted strikes in Jammu, including Satwari, RS Pura, Arnia, and Samba, were intercepted by Indian air defence systems, preventing casualties and damage.