The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the indefinite suspension of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) due to rising tensions along the India-Pakistan border. The tournament has been halted in order to ensure the safety of players, coaching staff, and everyone involved with the IPL. This news was reported by the Hindustan Times, citing BCCI sources.

A source from the board told Hindustan Times: “We have decided to suspend the IPL indefinitely. The safety of the players is our top priority. That’s why we’ve made the immediate decision to halt the tournament. A decision on when and how the remaining matches will be completed will be made later. Our national interest is above everything else.”

Earlier, Pakistan’s Super League (PSL) was suspended following an Indian missile strike near the food court adjacent to Rawalpindi Stadium in Pakistan. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) later relocated the tournament to the UAE.

In retaliation, Pakistan launched an attack along the Jammu and Kashmir border. As a result, matches scheduled in Punjab and Delhi were postponed due to widespread power outages. This prompted the IPL authorities to take the situation more seriously. IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal said, “The IPL is still ongoing for now, but we are waiting for government directives.” He hinted that suspension was a possibility if the situation did not improve.

Media reports suggest that the BCCI is now working to reschedule the IPL. There are proposals to complete the remaining matches in cities far from the border or even move the rest of the tournament to a neutral venue.

Although the match in Dharamshala was abandoned, players, staff, and broadcasters from the Punjab and Delhi teams have not yet been able to return safely. Efforts are underway to move them to Delhi. However, with Chandigarh Airport shut down and a red alert for air travel in place — including continuous siren warnings — air evacuation, even by helicopter, is currently impossible.

According to the media, the plan is to transport players by road to the Pathankot railway station, 85 kilometers from Dharamshala. From there, they will be taken to Delhi by a special train. Speaking anonymously, one player told the Hindustan Times that there is growing fear among both teams’ players, especially among the foreign cricketers. Earlier, Cricket Australia had stated it was ready to bring its players back home.