The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has called off the remainder of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season indefinitely due to the worsening conflict between India and Pakistan. The decision was announced on May 9, as rising geopolitical tensions cast a shadow over sporting events in the region.
The tournament, which had reached the final leg of its league stage, will no longer proceed as originally scheduled. Sixteen matches, including the playoffs and final, were left to be played before the May 25 finale.
A BCCI official told the Press Trust of India, “It does not look nice that cricket goes on while the country is at war.” The safety of players and support staff has become the top priority, with evacuation measures already being prepared.
Concerns escalated on May 8, when the clash between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Delhi Capitals (DC) in Dharamshala was halted during the 11th over due to air raid sirens in nearby regions like Jammu and Pathankot. The stadium, just 200 kilometres from the conflict zone, was quickly evacuated, and the match was suspended.
The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) were scheduled to play Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on May 9 in Match 59, but that too has been shelved in light of the broader suspension.
With 58 matches completed so far, Gujarat Titans were leading the table with 16 points from 11 games and a net run rate (NRR) of +0.793. RCB followed close behind, also on 16 points with an NRR of +0.482, while PBKS held third spot with the same points tally but a slightly lower NRR of +0.376 — though they have played one match more than both GT and RCB.
It’s unclear what will happen to the remaining matches or whether a winner will be declared. A final call on resuming or concluding the season may depend on how the situation evolves over the coming weeks.
Cricket Australia (CA) has confirmed it is keeping a close watch on the developments. With more than 20 Australian players and coaches currently involved in both the IPL and the Pakistan Super League (PSL), CA said in a statement that it is in regular contact with its players, the Australian government, and both the BCCI and PCB.
Some of the Australian players in the IPL include Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Pat Cummins, Delhi Capitals’ Mitchell Starc, RCB’s Josh Hazlewood, and PBKS coaches Ricky Ponting and Brad Haddin.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board has shifted the remaining PSL matches to the United Arab Emirates as a precautionary move. Unlike India, where the league has been paused entirely, the PCB is hoping to continue the competition on foreign soil for the safety of players and fans.
There’s no official word yet on whether the remaining matches will be resumed later or if the tournament will be cancelled altogether. With the playoffs approaching and the points table still tightly packed, questions around prize money, player contracts, and final standings remain unanswered.
