IPL 2025 suspended! When will it resume? 

Amid heightened India-Pakistan border tensions, the BCCI has decided to temporarily suspend the 18th edition of the Indian Premier League.

IPL 2025 suspended! When will it resume? 

The ongoing 2025 IPL season has been suspended, amid rising India-Pakistan tensions. (via ANI News)

The 18th edition of the Indian Premier League has been temporarily suspended, at the backdrop of the heightened border tensions between India and Pakistan. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced its decision to suspend the IPL, after a high-stakes meeting.

India and Pakistan are seemingly at the brink of an escalated conflict, following India’s unannounced attack on militant camps and terror outfits in Pakistan in retaliation of the brutal Pahalgam attack, which claimed the lives of 26 innocent tourists in the Baisaran Valley in Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan too responded by violating ceasefire agreements and carrying out air attacks on Indian territories.

The decision to suspend the IPL comes a day after the match between PBKS and DC in Dharamshala was abandoned midway, when the stadium floodlights went out due to an air raid alert sounding near the venue. While the BCCI initially cited ‘technical failure’ as the issue, it later clarified that it was caused by a security situation. The match was immediately called off, and spectators and players were evacuated.

With the Dharamshala airport closed, the players and support staff of PBKS and DC reportedly returned to Jalandhar by bus and then traveled to Delhi via. a special train. In the aftermath of the alarming incident in Dharamshala and the growing criticism over the continuation of the IPL amidst the looming threat of a full-scale conflict, the BCCI convened a meeting and decided to suspend the tournament for a week.

The members of the IPL Governing Council led by chairman Arun Dhumal and the BCCI officials, held a call to decide the season’s future, while considering alternatives such as change of venues. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia stated that representatives from all ten IPL franchises were also consulted before the decision to suspend the league was announced publicly.

While Saikia and Dhumal exclaimed that the suspension would only last a week, it remains to be seen how the geopolitical scenario unfolds. The BCCI emphasized that any further action would depend on the government’s directive. The board also mentioned that a revised schedule and list of venues would be announced shortly, as many foreign players and staff are preparing to leave India.

So far, 58 matches have been completed this season, including the abandoned game between PBKS and DC. As it’s uncertain whether the IPL will resume in a week, reports suggest that the BCCI is considering an alternative window to conduct the remaining 16 matches later in the year. The month of September, following India’s tour of England, is being explored as a possibility.

Furthermore, it is not the first time that the IPL has been called-off midway through a season. In 2021, the IPL had to be suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, later being held in the UAE. In a similar move, the ongoing Pakistan Super League has been quickly relocated to the UAE.

South Africa, Australia cricket boards concerned over players’ safety in IPL, amid rising India-Pakistan tensions

The South African and Australian cricket boards have expressed concerns over the safety of their players in the IPL, amid heightened cross border tensions between India and Pakistan. The two boards highlighted their anxiety, after the BCCI announced its decision to suspend the IPL. 

South Africa and Australian players IPL
South African and Australian cricket boards expressed concern regarding players’ security in the IPL. (via Time Out)

South African Cricketers’ Association official Andrew Breetzke cited the need to offer support to the players, participating in the IPL, amid growing security concerns. Cricket Australia also echoed similar sentiments, while exclaiming that it is closely monitoring the situation in Pakistan and India. It also added that the board is in direct contact with the BCCI and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). 

South African and Australian players occupy most of the overseas spots in IPL 2025, with the former having 21 players, while the latter having 16 players in the league. The West Indies cricket board also issued a press release, stating that it is taking stock of the situation.