The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 has been suspended for a week following heightened military tensions between India and Pakistan.

“The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to suspend the remainder of the ongoing TATA IPL 2025 with immediate effect for one week. 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,” a BCCI media advisory stated.

“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,” the statement further added.

With chartered flights being arranged for the overseas players, several sources in the Board have confirmed to Sportstar that it will follow the government’s advice regarding the resumption of the tournament and the way forward.

Back in 2021, during COVID, the BCCI had to postpone the IPL after a bio-bubble breach, and the second phase of the tournament was held in the UAE after a few months. However, things are different this time, as finding a window later in the year could be tricky due to international commitments. That said, sources indicate that with doubts over India’s tour of Bangladesh and the Asia Cup, a window could be explored around August–September, subject to the availability of the overseas players.

Board officials, however, remained tight-lipped about the way forward. In fact, in its communication to the teams, the Board specified that the ‘season is temporarily suspended’, without clarifying the future course of action.

Several Board and franchise officials insisted that the focus is now on ensuring the players reach their destinations safely. It is understood that Royal Challengers Bengaluru, currently stuck in Lucknow, will fly out to Bengaluru via a chartered flight by the afternoon and then the players will leave for their respective homes.

The same holds true for Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders, currently in Ahmedabad and Hyderabad respectively. The Australian players have been advised to return home by Saturday, and the teams are coordinating with the Board and the authorities to ensure a safe exit for the players and support staff.

After the Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals match in Dharamsala on Thursday was called off midway due to a “significant technical failure”, the BCCI ensured that both teams left Dharamsala amid heavy security.

Pakistan’s armed forces had launched multiple attacks using drones and other munitions along the entire western border on the intervening night of May 8-9, which were “effectively repulsed”, the Indian Army said on Friday (May 9, 2025). Pakistani troops also resorted to “numerous ceasefire violations” along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir, the Indian Army stated in an early morning post on X.

India had hit nine terrorist establishments (according to India’s Ministry of Defence) in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on Wednesday May 7 under ‘Operation Sindoor’, in response to a deadly attack on April 22, when gunmen opened fire in the Baisaran Valley, Pahalgam, killing 26 individuals.

The attack, considered one of the worst civilian atrocities in India since the 2008 Mumbai shootings, has led to an escalation in security and diplomatic concerns.

The IPL 2025 season had reached the 58-match mark, factoring in the abandoned fixture in Dharamsala. Just 12 group-stage games remained, set to be played across Lucknow (2), Hyderabad, Ahmedabad (3), Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru (2), Mumbai and Jaipur. The playoffs were slated to be held in Hyderabad and Kolkata.