The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has suspended the ongoing IPL 2025 season, sources confirmed on Friday, as tensions between India and Pakistan continue to escalate following Operation Sindoor and Pakistan’s retaliatory military actions.
The tournament, which had entered its crucial final stages with the championship match originally scheduled for May 25, came to an abrupt halt following Thursday night’s security scare at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium in Dharamshala. A high-stakes match between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Delhi Capitals (DC) was called off minutes before kickoff, prompting spectators to be evacuated and players escorted back to their hotels under heavy security.
Soon after, Punjab Kings confirmed the cancellation via their official social media platform, stating simply, “Match has been called off.” Fans leaving the stadium were seen chanting anti-Pakistan slogans, reflecting the rising public sentiment amid the volatile situation.
The decision to suspend the IPL comes in the wake of a series of drone and missile attacks by Pakistan along the Western border and Line of Control (LoC), which were successfully repelled by the Indian Army during the night of May 8–9. The Indian Armed Forces responded decisively to multiple ceasefire violations and aerial threats, demonstrating the effectiveness of the Akash surface-to-air missile system, among other defence assets.
Defence officials highlighted the critical role of the indigenously developed Akash missile system in neutralising Pakistani drones, with deployments by both the Army and the Air Force along the border.
Earlier, over 50 Pakistani drones were shot down in a large-scale counter-drone operation carried out along the LoC and International Borders. India’s military also neutralised a Chinese-supplied air defence system in Lahore, and struck key radar installations across Pakistan as part of its response to attempted missile attacks on military bases in Jammu, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.
The BCCI is expected to issue an official statement in the coming hours. However, sources indicate that the tournament is unlikely to resume until the security environment stabilises, prioritising the safety of players, staff, and spectators across the country.
