Image: IPL 2025 suspended and PSL postponed amid India-Pakistan conflict and safety fears / © India Today
Every season of the IPL brings excitement and joy to fans, who eagerly watch top players deliver thrilling action for two months and the Indian Premier League has become a festival for cricket lovers, uniting people through their love for the game. However, this celebration has faced disruptions, with seasons halted, suspended, or rescheduled for various reasons and in 2025, the IPL was paused due to rising tensions between India and Pakistan, casting uncertainty over the tournament.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced on May 9, 2025, that the IPL would be suspended for one week, starting immediately, because of heightened military tensions following a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, 2025, which killed 26 people, mostly tourists as India responded with missile strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, prompting Pakistan to launch drone and missile attacks on Indian cities like Jammu and Pathankot on May 8.
These events led to safety concerns, forcing the BCCI to prioritize the security of players, staff, and fans. A match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala was abandoned mid-game on May 8 after air raid alerts, with players and spectators evacuated as floodlights failed amid nearby shelling reports and at the time of suspension, 58 of the 70 league matches had been completed, leaving 12 group-stage games and four playoff matches, including the final in Kolkata, unplayed.
The BCCI, led by secretary Devajit Saikia, stated that a new schedule and venues would be shared after consulting with authorities, but no clear resumption date has been confirmed as some speculate an August-September window, though this could clash with India’s tour of Bangladesh or the Asia Cup while the BCCI is also considering moving the tournament to safer venues like Hyderabad or Chennai or even abroad to South Africa, as was done in 2009.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 was postponed and the officials are looking to relocate to the UAE due to the same tensions, with its final eight matches moved from Rawalpindi, Multan, and Lahore. However, the Emirates Cricket Board later expressed reluctance to host the PSL, citing security concerns and ties with the BCCI and many foreign players from both leagues, including Australians and English cricketers, left India and Pakistan for safety, complicating plans to resume.
With the BCCI halting the Indian Premier League on May 9, 2025, due to escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, the cricket festival faced a major disruption as the decision came after a match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala was stopped after 10.1 overs due to security concerns, with Punjab Kings at 122/1. The BCCI, led by secretary Devajit Saikia, is working to restart the tournament, with plans to resume on May 16 or 17, starting with a match between Lucknow Super Giants and Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Lucknow.
A ceasefire agreement on May 10, 2025, paved the way for this, though Pakistan’s violation of the ceasefire by targeting areas like Srinagar added uncertainty. The BCCI is consulting the Indian government, franchises, broadcasters, and state associations to finalize the schedule, which will likely be announced by May 12. To finish the season, the BCCI plans to use four venues, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bengaluru, and Lucknow, excluding Delhi and Dharamsala due to logistical issues.
Equipment has already been moved from these locations. Hyderabad will host Qualifier 1 and the Eliminator, but Kolkata might not host the final, now likely on May 30 or June 1, due to possible rain. Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium is a backup venue. The BCCI may schedule double-header matches to complete the remaining 16 games within May, as international commitments, including India’s England tour and the World Test Championship final, loom in June.
The abandoned Punjab Kings-Delhi Capitals match may result in both teams getting one point each, as no decision has been made on replaying it. Franchises are recalling overseas players, though some, like those from Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, had left India during the suspension. Punjab Kings’ coach Ricky Ponting convinced most of their foreign players to stay, showing strong leadership.
After the talk of the IPL restarting on May 16 or 17, 2025, after a week-long pause, fans are worried about whether big Australian players like Mitchell Starc will return. The tournament stopped on May 9, 2025, because of safety concerns from India-Pakistan tensions. A game in Dharamsala between Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings was called off after 10.1 overs due to nearby air raid warnings, making players, especially Australians, nervous about playing in northern India.
Delhi Capitals picked up Starc for Rs 11.75 crore last year after Kolkata Knight Riders let him go, even though he was a star in 2024, winning Player of the Match in two key playoff games. This season, Starc played all 12 matches for Delhi, grabbing 14 wickets with his fast bowling. But when the IPL paused, he flew back to Sydney with his wife, Alyssa Healy, on May 11, 2025. Reports say Starc didn’t talk to the media, and his manager suggested he might stay in Australia because of the tense situation in India. It’s unclear how this affects his contract.
Other Australian players may also skip the rest of IPL 2025. Josh Hazlewood, who’s been dealing with an injury, is unlikely to come back, focusing on getting fit. Pat Cummins and Travis Head are also expected to stay home, taking a break before preparing for the World Test Championship final against South Africa in June 2025, followed by three Tests in the West Indies. These big matches clash with the IPL’s new schedule, so they might not return. This is a blow for teams like Delhi Capitals and Sunrisers Hyderabad, who count on these stars.