Cliff Notes
- India’s Indian Premier League (IPL) has been suspended for one week due to escalating tensions with Pakistan, following security concerns after a drone incident at the Rawalpindi Stadium.
- The decision was made by the IPL Governing Council after discussions with franchisees, broadcasters, and fans amid fears of broader conflict in Kashmir after recent artillery exchanges between the two nations.
Indian Premier League suspended over rising tensions between India and Pakistan | World News
India has suspended its top cricket tournament, the hugely popular Indian Premier League, over rising tensions with Pakistan.
The news comes a day after the Pakistan Super League (PSL) moved the remainder of its season to the UAE after a drone fell within the Rawalpindi Stadium complex, which Pakistan says was from India.
An IPL statement read: “The remainder of ongoing IPL 2025 suspended with immediate effect for one week.
“The decision was taken by the IPL Governing Council after due consultation with all key stakeholders following the representations from most of the franchisees, who conveyed the concern and sentiments of their players, and also the views of the broadcaster, sponsors and fans.”
Tensions between India and Pakistan across the line of control around the region of Kashmir have boiled over this week, leading to fears of a wider conflict.
Overnight, artillery exchanges between the two nuclear-armed countries were reported across the frontier in Kashmir.
The IPL attracts many of the top players in the world and has an estimated viewership of 500 million people.
“Further updates regarding the new schedule and venues of the tournament will be announced in due course after a comprehensive assessment of the situation in consultation with relevant authorities and stakeholders,” the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said in a statement.
“While cricket remains a national passion, there is nothing greater than the nation and its sovereignty, integrity, and security of our country,” the BCCI added.
The England and Wales Cricket Board said on Friday morning there has been regular dialogue with the 10 English players involved in the IPL.
Jos Buttler, Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Liam Livingstone, Phil Salt, Jacob Bethell, Will Jacks, Reece Topley, Sam Curran, Jamie Overton have all featured this year.