Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala (AP Photo)
NEW DELHI: The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 has come to an unexpected halt following a significant escalation in regional tensions between India and Pakistan. On Friday, May 9, the BCCI officially suspended the tournament, citing national security and player safety as their top priorities.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The decision follows a series of rapid developments, including the postponement of the Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals clash in Dharamsala and confirmed reports of missile firings by Pakistan.
Here’s a day-by-day breakdown of how events unfolded leading to the unprecedented decision:
May 7
- Operation Sindoor begins: India conducted airstrikes on terrorist camps across the border.
- Airspace closure announced: Multiple northern airports, including Chandigarh, Amritsar, Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Jodhpur, Bhuj, and Rajkot, were shut until May 10, 5:30 AM IST, directly impacting team logistics.
- PBKS vs MI venue under threat: With
Mumbai Indians set to play PBKS in Dharamsala and travel via Chandigarh, logistical complications forced the IPL to consider relocating the fixture. - Kolkata’s Patriotic Tribute: During the KKR vs CSK match at Eden Gardens, the crowd united in a stirring rendition of “Maa Tujhe Salaam”, honouring Indian defence forces. On-field, CSK’s Noor Ahmad made the mark with 4/31, outshining a strong start from KKR.
May 8
- PBKS vs MI shifted to Ahmedabad: Official confirmation came as Dharamsala’s airport remained non-operational. GCA secretary Anil Patel confirmed the venue change.
- PBKS vs DC match abandoned: After a strong 122-run start by Punjab, a floodlight failure halted the game at 10.1 overs. Amid rising tension, IPL chairman Arun Dhumal ordered the evacuation of the stadium for safety. Teams and broadcast staff prepared for evacuation amid growing uncertainty.
- Missile strikes escalate crisis:Pakistan fired eight missiles toward Indian territory. All were intercepted, but the threat level forced the IPL Governing Council to act.
May 9
- BCCI suspends IPL 2025: With 16 matches remaining, the league was officially suspended.
BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla confirmed players’ safety as the top priority. - Future of IPL 2025: The possibility of using the India-Bangladesh series window in August and/or the Asia Cup break in September to resume IPL remains under discussion.
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