The BCCI has suspended the Indian Premier League, initially for a week, but which in all likelihood will get extended in the wake of escalating cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan.
The development came hours after the Pakistan Cricket Board took the decision to relocate the final fixtures of the Pakistan Super League to UAE.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, in a statement issued on Friday afternoon, stated: “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.”
An official update further reads: “After reviewing the situation with Indian Government, #IPL2025 is suspended for a week with immediate effect.
“The decision is to support the armed forces. Further delay is possible based on the situation.
“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 Board salutes the bravery, courage, and selfless service of our armed forces, whose heroic efforts under Operation Sindoor continue to protect and inspire the nation, as they lead a resolute response to the recent terrorist attack and the unwarranted aggression by Pakistan’s armed forces.”
The developments came a day after the IPL decided to abandon Thursday’s match between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Delhi Capitals (DC) midway into the first innings. With the airport in Dharamsala and the ones in nearby areas shut, the players and support staff of PBKS and DC travelled from Dharamshala to Jalandhar by bus and then took a train to Delhi.
IPL 2025 is currently 58 games old, including the abandonment in Dharamsala. There are 12 games left to play in the group stage, followed by the playoffs.
Meanwhile, UK’s Guardian reported that the BCCI will now have decide if and how to complete the competition. The option of relocating to the UAE – where the tournament was shifted when it was forced to shut down by the Covid outbreak of 2020 – is off the table because it is already set to host the PSL, but a move to South Africa is feasible, aided by the fact that all six teams in that country’s own franchise tournament, the SA20, are controlled by owners of IPL sides. The IPL was also moved to South Africa in 2009 because it coincided with Indian elections.
The last time the IPL was shut down, when Covid flared up again in 2021, it resumed and concluded in the UAE that September, and a resumption later this year, after the conclusion of India’s Test series in England, is possible. India are currently due to play six white-ball matches in Bangladesh in August followed by the eight-team Asia Cup in September, which they are due to host.
Both are considered likely to be cancelled, opening a possible window for the IPL to resume in August-September (the middle of the English summer), clashing with UK’s The Hundred and the knockout stages of Australia’s T20 Blast.
