IPL Suspended Indefinitely Amid Escalating India-Pakistan Conflict: Reports

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has been suspended indefinitely due to intensifying border tensions between India and Pakistan, Indian media outlets reported on Friday.

The decision came after Thursday’s match in Dharamsala—located just under 200 kilometers from Jammu—was abandoned following reported explosions in the nearby region. Cricket authorities, citing concerns over player safety and public security, opted to put the high-profile T20 tournament on hold.

Chennai Super Kings paid tribute to India’s armed forces in a post on X, stating: “Courage in every step. Pride in every heartbeat. Saluting our armed forces!” The post included a graphic bearing the message: “Nation first. Everything else can wait.”

The IPL, a global cricketing spectacle that began this season on March 22, features 10 teams and some of the sport’s biggest international stars. Friday’s match between Lucknow Super Giants and Royal Challengers Bengaluru was called off following the suspension. The grand finale had been scheduled for May 25 at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens, an event typically watched by millions worldwide.

International players including Australia’s Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, and Mitch Marsh are part of the tournament, while former Australian captain Ricky Ponting is coaching Punjab Kings. Cricket Australia released a statement earlier on Friday, before the suspension was confirmed, saying it was “closely monitoring the situation in Pakistan and India” and staying in contact with its players and support staff.

Meanwhile, Pakistan has already relocated the remainder of its own T20 league to the United Arab Emirates, also citing security concerns.

The current crisis stems from escalating conflict over Kashmir, a region claimed by both India and Pakistan. Tensions surged after India conducted missile strikes on Wednesday in retaliation for a deadly terrorist attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, which it attributed to Pakistan. Islamabad has denied any involvement.

Since Wednesday, at least 48 people have been killed on both sides of the border, marking the worst cross-border violence between the nuclear-armed neighbors in decades.