IPL 2025 suspended for one week amid escalating India-Pakistan tensions

JioStar, the official broadcaster of the IPL, has expressed full support for the BCCI's decision to suspend the tournament, emphasizing that national interest must come first

The Indian Premier League 2025 was brought to an abrupt halt on Friday afternoon. The decision came in the shadow of rising cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan, forcing the BCCI to put the brakes on cricket's richest league for a week.

 

A sudden halt to the spectacle

 

In a statement, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia announced that the IPL would be "suspended with immediate effect for one week." The message was clear: cricket must take a backseat to national security and the well-being of everyone involved. 

 

 

"The decision was taken by the IPL Governing Council after due consultation with all key stakeholders," Saikia said, adding that franchise representatives, players, broadcasters, sponsors, and fans were all part of the decision-making process. "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."

 

Behind the scenes: The call that changed everything

  The dramatic call to suspend the league was made after senior BCCI officials—including Saikia and IPL chairman Arun Dhumal—got on a high-level video conference. According to ESPNcricinfo report, the call ended in unanimous agreement: continuing the IPL under the prevailing circumstances would be inappropriate and insensitive.

 

Franchises were swiftly informed before the news went public at 2:40 PM IST. What followed was chaos—teams scrambled to disband, with players and support staff catching the next flights out of host cities or back to their home bases.

 

From the pitch to panic: Dharamsala match sets the tone

 

The writing was already on the wall. Just a day before, Thursday’s match between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Delhi Capitals (DC) had been abandoned mid-innings due to security alerts. With Dharamsala’s airport shut down, players and staff undertook an overnight bus ride to Jalandhar, before boarding a special train to Delhi—an ordeal that underscored the gravity of the situation.

 

Punjab Kings (PBKS) vs Delhi Capitals (DC), the 58th of the season, now stands as the tipping point of a tournament derailed not by rain or Covid, but by geopolitical tension.

 

What happens next? A race against the clock

 

As of now, 12 league-stage games remain, followed by the high-stakes playoffs. But with India’s five-Test tour of England set to begin on June 20, there’s barely a sliver of time to resume the IPL.

 

If the situation doesn’t stabilise soon, the earliest viable window for a restart may come in September—but that too is clouded by the Asia Cup schedule. The logistics are complicated, the timing is tight, and the uncertainty is palpable. 

 

Broadcaster and Sponsors Stand in Support

 

The BCCI extended its gratitude to Jiostar, the league’s official broadcaster, for its understanding and support during this sensitive period. The Board also acknowledged the commitment shown by title sponsor TATA and all other partners, praising them for prioritising national interest above commercial considerations.

 

Official broadcaster’s take on IPL suspension

 

JioStar, the official broadcaster of the IPL, has expressed full support for the BCCI’s decision to suspend the tournament, emphasising that national interest must come first. The broadcaster stated its commitment to standing with the country, government, and armed forces during this critical time, while also extending solidarity to affected civilians. JioStar assured that it will collaborate closely with the BCCI and all stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition and safe return of all personnel involved in the tournament broadcast.

 

Suspension period may be extended

 

While the current suspension is announced for one week, the BCCI clarified that any decision regarding resumption of the IPL will depend on a thorough security review in consultation with government agencies and other stakeholders. Given the dynamic nature of the ongoing situation, officials have indicated that the suspension may extend beyond a week if required to ensure the safety of all participants and the public.

 

Further updates on the revised schedule and venues of the tournament will be communicated in due course, BCCI statement added.  (This copy was updated after BCCI's media advisory release.)