Report | IPL 2025 suspended indefinitely in wake of rising military tensions between India and Pakistan

The IPL's 18th season has been paused for a week after rising cross-border tensions has forced India to put a hold on the tournament till circumstances improve. IPL CEO Arun Dhumal had stated earlier in the day that future decisions would be taken keeping in mind the developing situation, a sentiment BCCI Secretary Devjit Saikia echoed while announcing the emergency decision to suspend the IPL.

"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," Saikia said in the statement.

The first indications of adjournment arrived on Friday when the encounter between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala was called off after just 10.1 overs were bowled. The hosts seemed to be romping their way to a big total when two floodlight towers went off and while an official BCCI release blamed it on a technical failure at the stadium, Dhumal later admitted the abandonment was due to security reasons. People were asked to evacuate the arena on short notice, owing to a red alert issued less than 200km away in Jammu and leaving the venue with no option but to implement a blackout. There were already conversations of the next game in Dharamsala being shifted to Ahmedabad after the Mumbai Indians failed to travel as per schedule following strict security and airspace guidelines. 

This is the second time in IPL history when the tournament has been suspended midway through an edition, following a COVID-19 related postponement in 2021 when the tournament had resumed over four months after being first halted. Across the border, the Pakistan Super League has endured drastic changes too with the rest of the tournament to be played in Dubai after reported drone strikes damaged the stadium in Rawalpindi. 

Currently, 58 out of 70 IPL league games have already been played, with the remaining 12 split across Lucknow, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Jaipur. The four playoff encounters were slated to be held in Hyderabad and Kolkata, with the latter set to host the final after KKR's triumph last year.