IPL Suspended for a Week as India-Pakistan Tensions Rise

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has been paused for one week due to a rising conflict between India and Pakistan, BBC reported.

The situation worsened after India accused Pakistan of launching drone and missile attacks on three of its military bases, something Pakistan has denied. In return, Pakistan claimed that Indian airstrikes killed 31 people and injured 57 in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir since Wednesday.

Tensions have been building since last month when 26 civilians were killed in Indian-administered Kashmir. India blamed Pakistan-backed militants for the attack, a charge Pakistan rejected.

The crisis escalated further on Tuesday when India launched "Operation Sindoor," a military response targeting terror sites across the border.

In response to the conflict, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) decided to suspend the IPL after talking with teams, sponsors, and broadcasters. The BCCI said that while they support the Indian armed forces, pausing the tournament was the safest choice for everyone involved.

On Thursday, a match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala was stopped midway due to a power outage. Players and staff were prepared for evacuation from the city, which is close to the Kashmir region. That same day, Pakistan’s cricket league (PSL) also moved its remaining matches to the UAE for safety.

The current IPL season was supposed to end on May 23, with 16 matches still left. Ten English players, including Jos Buttler and Jofra Archer, are participating in this season.

The BCCI said it will announce new match dates and venues after reviewing the situation with officials. The IPL has been moved abroad before, for example, to South Africa in 2009 and to the UAE during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021.