The 18th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been suspended due to escalating border tensions between India and Pakistan, following India’s attacks on militant camps in response to the recent Pahalgam attack that killed 26 tourists. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) decided to temporarily halt the tournament after an abandoned match between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Delhi Capitals (DC) in Dharamshala due to air raid alerts, prompting security concerns.
Initial reports suggested a technical failure in lighting, but it was later clarified that security issues were at play. With Dharamshala’s airport closed, players from PBKS and DC had to travel back by bus and train. The BCCI, after consulting IPL franchise representatives, announced the league’s suspension for one week, contingent on government directives.
As player safety became a concern, the South African and Australian cricket boards expressed worries about their players participating in the IPL. This isn’t the first time the IPL has faced disruptions, as it was previously suspended in 2021 due to COVID-19. The BCCI is considering rescheduling the remaining matches for later in the year if the conflict persists.
