NEW DELHI, May 9: In a significant development, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the indefinite suspension of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season due to the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. The decision comes after the match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals, which was scheduled for Thursday, was suspended midway due to air raid alerts in nearby cities of Jammu and Pathankot, forcing spectators to evacuate the stadium.

A BCCI official confirmed the suspension, citing that it was inappropriate for cricket to continue amidst such national tensions. “It does not look nice that cricket goes on while the country is at war,” the official remarked. The IPL was originally set to conclude on May 25 in Kolkata, but the situation now hangs in uncertainty. The suspension follows a series of military confrontations, including reports of drone attacks near Jammu Airport and widespread blackouts triggered by the escalating situation.

On Thursday, IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal was seen directing the evacuation of spectators from the Dharamsala stadium, where the match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals had been halted. The attack led to a floodlight failure, causing further disruptions. With Pakistan’s aerial activities targeting Indian borders, the match was called off for safety reasons.

BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla had earlier stated, “We are monitoring the situation, seeking the Government’s advice, and will take the final decision on the IPL tomorrow. The situation is changing day by day. We will do whatever we are told and inform all stakeholders. At the moment, our priority is the safety of all players, fans, and stakeholders.”

While the match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals was called off, the match between Lucknow Super Giants and Royal Challengers Bangalore, scheduled for Friday, was still set to proceed at that time. However, the situation remains fluid, and further decisions will depend on the government’s directives.

The escalation has affected not only the IPL but also other cricket events, with the Pakistan Super League being moved to the UAE earlier in the day. In addition, a blackout was enforced in several districts, including Pathankot, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Mohali in Punjab, and Union Territory Chandigarh, due to air raid alarms and reports of explosions in Jammu.