NEW DELHI, INDIA — The Indian Premier League (IPL), the world’s most lucrative cricket tournament, has been suspended for one week effective Friday due to the escalating conflict between India and Pakistan.
Devajit Saikia, the honorary secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), announced the postponement in a statement. “Further updates regarding the new schedule and venues of the tournament will be announced in due course,” he said.
The BCCI’s statement further emphasized the priority of national security over sporting events: “While cricket remains a national passion, there is nothing greater than the nation and its sovereignty, integrity and security of our country.”
The decision to pause the T20 competition follows the abandonment of a match in Dharamsala on Thursday. The venue is situated less than 200 kilometers (125 miles) from Jammu, the northern city where explosions were reported earlier that day.
Friday marked the third consecutive day of heightened exchanges between the nuclear-armed neighbors, with India claiming to have repelled overnight drone and artillery attacks from Pakistan. Simultaneously, officials in Pakistan reported additional civilian casualties.
Reflecting security concerns in the region, Pakistan Cricket has already relocated the remaining matches of its own T20 league to the United Arab Emirates to ensure player safety.
Thursday’s IPL match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala was abruptly halted after 10.1 overs due to an apparent floodlight malfunction in the Himalayan hill town.
Media reports indicated that the stadium was quickly evacuated, and players were escorted from the ground via team buses. IPL chairman Arun Dhumal was reportedly seen directing fans to leave the stadium.
The 10-team IPL, featuring prominent international cricketers, commenced on March 22. Friday’s scheduled match was between Lucknow Super Giants and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The group stage has 12 remaining games, which were to be followed by playoffs in Hyderabad and Kolkata.
The final was scheduled for May 25 at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens, an event that typically draws a significant global television audience.
The league boasts numerous international stars, including Australians Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, and Mitch Marsh, with former Australian captain Ricky Ponting coaching Punjab.
Following the escalating tensions, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported that some Australian players based in India might return home as early as Saturday.
Prior to the IPL’s suspension announcement, Cricket Australia stated, “We continue to closely monitor the situation in Pakistan and India… and maintaining communication with our players and support staff currently in the region.”
India and Pakistan have a history of conflict over Kashmir, a disputed territory claimed in its entirety by both nations, each administering separate parts since their independence from British rule in 1947.
Recent hostilities were triggered by India’s missile strikes on Wednesday morning, which were in retaliation for a deadly attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir two weeks prior, an attack India attributes to Pakistan. Islamabad has denied any involvement in the incident.
The recent violence has resulted in over 50 fatalities on both sides of the border since Wednesday, marking the most severe escalation between the South Asian neighbors in decades.
