In light of rising tensions between India and Pakistan, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a one-week suspension of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. The decision comes after growing security concerns and heightened military activity along the Line of Control (LoC) and international borders.
Citing national interest, a senior BCCI official told PTI, “It does not look nice that cricket goes on while the country is at war.” The board emphasized its support for the Government of India and its armed forces, stating, “At this critical juncture, the BCCI stands firmly with the nation. We express our solidarity with the Government of India, the Armed Forces and the people of our country.”
The tournament, which was approaching its playoff phase with the final scheduled for May 25 in Kolkata, has been brought to a halt. One of the key fixtures—Lucknow Super Giants vs. Royal Challengers Bengaluru—was set to take place on May 9 at Lucknow’s Ekana Stadium but will now be postponed.
On May 8, the scheduled clash between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala was called off after just 10.1 overs of play. Initially attributed to a floodlight malfunction, the real reason emerged later: reports of a possible aerial threat near Pathankot, just 90 kilometers away from the stadium, triggered an emergency evacuation of players and spectators.
The security situation deteriorated rapidly following a massive drone infiltration attempt from Pakistan on the night of May 8. Indian Army air defence units intercepted and destroyed over 50 drones in a coordinated counter-drone operation across regions including Jammu, Samba, Pathankot, Akhnoor, Nagrota, and Udhampur.
The ongoing hostilities were sparked by a brutal militant attack on April 22 in Kashmir’s Baisaran Valley, where 26 civilians—primarily Hindu tourists—were killed. Attackers reportedly identified victims based on their religion before opening fire. India has held Pakistan responsible for harboring terrorist groups and subsequently launched targeted strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
As the situation remains volatile, the BCCI reiterated that while cricket is deeply cherished across the nation, “there is nothing greater than the Nation and its sovereignty, integrity, and security.”
The board has assured that the rescheduling of matches will be announced after a thorough security review in consultation with the central and state governments.
