As the dispute between India and Pakistan reaches a critical point, its impact is now being felt on the IPL. The BCCI has today halted the 18th edition of the IPL midway due to security concerns. Following the Pahalgam massacre and the launch of Operation Sindoor by India, the situation has turned severe. As a result, the BCCI has indefinitely postponed IPL 2025 prioritizing the safety of players and the public.
On Thursday, while an IPL match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals was underway in Dharamshala, airstrikes were carried out by Pakistan in Jammu-Kashmir and Pathankot. For security reasons, the match was canceled midway. Due to fears of attacks, stadium lights were turned off and authorities instructed spectators to leave immediately. A day later, today, the BCCI officially announced that the IPL will be suspended until further notice.
On Friday, the BCCI held an emergency meeting with tournament officials. In this meeting, the safety of players, support staff, and cricket fans was prioritized, leading to the decision to suspend the IPL.
A senior BCCI official stated, “At a time when the country is on the brink of war, continuing with cricket matches is not appropriate.” Sixteen matches were still remaining in the current IPL season. The final was scheduled for May 25. But now, the future of the 18th edition of the IPL hangs in uncertainty.
At 8:30 PM on Thursday, Pakistan launched a barrage of missile and drone attacks targeting border regions such as Jammu-Kashmir, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Gujarat. Civilian areas and military establishments were Pakistan’s primary targets. Using air-to-ground missiles and suicide drones, Pakistan carried out the attack. However, India successfully intercepted and neutralized all missiles and drones mid-air.
