IPL 2025 suspended indefinitely amid escalating India-Pakistan tensions
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The 18th edition of Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) has been suspended indefinitely on Friday (May 9) amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan.
Earlier, BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla said that the board would take a decision of future of IPL 2025 after consulting the central government.
In 2021, after the second wave of the Covid outbreak, the BCCI stopped the IPL midway and restarted it later in the year at a completely different venue. While a change of venue might not be required this time, they can just put the tournament on hold for the time being.
However, with the rest of the calendar year for all teams being jam-packed, the BCCI might find it tough to squeeze in a tournament of the IPL’s calibre in between.
A cloud of uncertainty had loomed over the future of the ongoing edition since the cancellation of Thursday's match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala midway following air raid alerts in neighbouring cities of Jammu and Pathankot.
"It does not look nice that cricket goes on while the country is at war," a BCCI official told PTI, confirming the suspension of the high-profile league, which was to wind up on May 25 in Kolkata.
India launched missile attacks on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir a fortnight after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed.
On Thursday, a blackout was enforced in several districts in India including Pathankot, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Mohali in Punjab and Union Territory Chandigarh amid air raid alarms and reports of explosion-like sounds in Jammu.
Earlier in the day, the Pakistan Super League was moved to the UAE after Indian drone attacks in Lahore and Rawalpindi among other cities.
The military confrontation had caused significant anxiety among the foreign players, according to media reports and they will be flying back over the next few days. Sixty two overseas players were signed up by the 10 franchises at the mega-auction last year.
The players of Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings are currently on their way to the national capital from Dharamsala by road.
On Friday, the IPL bandwagon was in Lucknow for the game between Lucknow Super Giants and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, which now stands suspended.
Twelve league matches and four knockout games, including the final in Kolkata, were left to be played at the time of suspension.
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Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday said Pakistan's open support for terrorists killed in India's recent retaliation proves the country is not just a shelter for terrorism but is now "struggling for its own existence."
"After India's action, when terrorists were killed, Pakistan's top military officers and politicians were seen attending their funerals.
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In April, Jaiswal surprised everyone by writing to the MCA to seek its approval for a shock move to Goa. On its part, the MCA too had swiftly approved Jaiswal's request.
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Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday reviewed the prevailing situation along India's border with Pakistan and airports in the country amid the military conflict between the two countries, sources said.
The meeting came hours after the Border Security Force said it has foiled an infiltration bid from across the International Border in Jammu, killing at least seven terrorists and destroying a Pakistan Rangers post.
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Amid the rising tensions between India and Pakistan, an air warning has been received from the Air Force station of a possible attack in Chandigarh on Friday.
Taking to X, the official account of the Chandigarh administration said, "Sirens are being sounded." It further advised civilians to remain indoors and away from balconies.
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India on Thursday said it had neutralised an air defence system in Lahore in a measured military response to Pakistan’s attempted drone and missile attacks on multiple Indian military installations the previous night. The Indian armed forces stated that the retaliation was calibrated, targeting military assets with precision and avoiding civilian casualties.
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