IPL 2025 To Be Suspended Amid Escalating India-Pakistan Military Conflict Post 'Operation Sindoor' - Sources

New Delhi, May 8: The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is set to be suspended indefinitely due to the escalating military conflict and rising tensions between India and Pakistan, the BCCI confirmed through inside sources on Thursday.

The decision follows a mid-match abandonment of the IPL 2025 clash between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala, which was halted amid alarming air raid alerts in the region. Players and spectators were evacuated after floodlights were put off.

According to a senior BCCI official who spoke to MyKhel on condition of anonymity, "The entire league is at risk of being called off due to conflict with Pakistan." A formal decision on the tournament's fate is expected on Friday (May 9) after internal consultations.

Dharamsala IPL Match Cancelled Midway

Thursday's game, held at the picturesque HPCA Stadium, witnessed unprecedented scenes when floodlights went out during the 11th over of Punjab's innings, initially believed to be a technical fault. However, it soon became clear that the disruption was due to an air raid alert triggered by heightened tensions near Jammu, Pathankot and parts of Rajasthan bordering Pakistan.

Punjab were cruising at 122 for 1 in 10.1 overs, with openers Prabhsimran Singh (50* off 28) and Priyansh Arya (70 off 34) laying a solid foundation before Arya was dismissed by T Natarajan. Soon after, lights dimmed and emergency protocols kicked in, prompting authorities to evacuate both players and spectators from the 23,000-capacity venue, which was filled to 80% at the time.

"There was no panic from the spectators. They were moved out of the stadium very carefully and safely," a Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association official was quoted by PTI. Eyewitnesses reported anti-Pakistan slogans being raised as fans exited the stadium.

Teams To Be Evacuated Through Special Train

With air travel suspended across northern regions including Dharamsala, Kangra, and Chandigarh, both teams are being transported by road to Pathankot, from where they will board a special train to Delhi. The lockdown of air routes comes amid fears of potential Pakistani retaliation following India's missile strikes on terror camps across the border- a response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives.

In light of the deteriorating security situation, the IPL's itinerary is rapidly unravelling. The May 11 fixture between Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings, originally scheduled for Dharamsala, has already been moved to Ahmedabad.

BCCI Faces Mounting Pressure from Overseas Players

Adding to BCCI's challenges is the growing unease among foreign players, many of whom have expressed a desire to leave India amidst the escalating crisis. While BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia downplayed the gravity of the situation by stating, "There is no emergency meeting taking place... the only concern was the Dharamsala match, which we have decided to call off," internal discussions are reportedly ongoing to determine the league's future.

As the country grapples with national security concerns and regional blackouts in cities like Amritsar, Mohali, Jalandhar, and Chandigarh, the suspension of IPL 2025 reflects the sobering reality of sports being sidelined in times of national crisis.

A final announcement from the BCCI is awaited on Friday (May 9), but the signs point toward a mid-season cancellation - which was also witnessed in 2021 when players tested positive for COVID-19. The remainder of the tournament was later hosted in UAE in the month of September-October.