The ongoing edition had been clouded by uncertainty since the Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals game in Dharamsala was cancelled halfway through due to air raid alerts.
The growing military confrontation between India and Pakistan has resulted in an indefinite suspension of the Indian Premier League (IPL). It would be wrong to continue the event at such a crucial moment, according to a top BCCI official. After the Punjab Kings vs. Delhi Capitals game in Dharamsala was called off in the middle of Thursday due to air raid alerts in neighbouring places like Jammu and Pathankot, worries over the tournament’s survival increased. The source clarified, “It doesn’t feel right to continue with cricket when the nation is dealing with a serious conflict.” Originally, the IPL season was supposed to end in Kolkata on May 25.
With plans to continue the remaining matches only until the situation between India and Pakistan stabilises, the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been postponed indefinitely. Reports state that four playoff games and twelve league games remain to be played.
The move follows India’s recent missile strikes against terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, which were initiated almost two weeks after the devastating attack in Pahalgam on April 22 that killed 26 people.
Following air raid warnings and loud explosions reported close to Jammu, numerous areas of Punjab, including Pathankot, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, and Mohali, as well as the Union Territory of Chandigarh, witnessed blackouts on Thursday night.
Due to reports of Indian drone activities in places like Lahore and Rawalpindi, the Pakistan Super League (PSL) has been moved to the United Arab Emirates.
Many international players are naturally concerned about the intensifying tension, according to sources close to the IPL. The ten IPL teams signed sixty-two foreign players at last year’s mega-auction, and several of them are scheduled to return home shortly.
A franchise official responded, “Everyone is safe, but naturally, the players are concerned after witnessing these developments,” in response to a question concerning the welfare of players from other countries.
Following the disruption of their match in Dharamsala, players from the Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings are currently on their way to Delhi via road.
The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru game that was supposed to take place in Lucknow on Friday has also been cancelled. Not long after the league’s suspension was declared, LSG shared the message “Nation First” on its official social media account.
Cricket Australia, which has been keeping a close eye on the unrest, acknowledged the issue and reaffirmed its support for the players’ safety in the area. The players’ union of New Zealand also voiced worries about the security threats facing its players in Pakistan and India.