The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly halted the Indian Premier League (IPL) indefinitely due to escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. The suspension comes after a match in Dharamsala, located less than 200 kilometres from Jammu, was abandoned on Thursday. This was following explosions reported in the area earlier in the day. On the same day, Indian forces claimed to have repelled a series of Pakistani drone and artillery attacks.
This pause in the IPL follows Pakistan’s decision to move its remaining T20 league matches to the United Arab Emirates, citing player safety concerns. Reports suggest the IPL suspension was a direct response to the ongoing conflict. While no official statement has been released by the BCCI, Chennai Super Kings, a prominent IPL team, posted a message on social media emphasizing the importance of national security over the tournament.
The match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals was abruptly stopped after 10.1 overs, allegedly due to a floodlight malfunction in Dharamsala. The stadium was quickly evacuated, and players were escorted out. As the situation intensifies, Cricket Australia confirmed that it is monitoring the security developments closely and may consider bringing home players from India.
The violence stems from long-standing tensions over the Kashmir region, with both India and Pakistan claiming it as their own. Following a deadly attack on tourists in Kashmir, India retaliated with missile strikes on Wednesday. The current conflict has resulted in over 50 deaths on both sides, marking one of the most severe outbreaks of violence between the two nations in decades.
