• Source:JND
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IPL 2025 Suspended: The BCCI on Friday suspended the IPL 2025 for a week owing to the military confrontations between India and Pakistan. The BCCI in its statement said that "there is nothing greater than the nation and its sovereignty, integrity, and security of our country," at a time when the country is responding to a terror attack and unwarranted aggression from across the border.

A total of 16 matches, including 12 league matches and four knockouts, are remaing in the IPL 2025, with the final of the coveted league scheduled for May 25 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Now, with BCCI's announcement to suspend the IPL 2025, debates are underway about the future of the cash-rich league.

The IPL has a dedicated window from March end to May end during which no international cricket is scheduled allowing the best of world cricket to ply their trade in the league. Now that the schedule has gone haywire, the BCCI will have to explore the available options.

What Are The Options Left With BCCI?

According to a report by PTI, the BCCI could complete the remaining 16 matches during a 10 to 12 days window in September, given the fact that the Asia Cup is in jeopardy due to the escalatinng tensions between India and Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack. If it happens, India is scheduled to host the Asia Cup, at a supposedly neutral venue in September. At least two Indo-Pak matches were to take place during the Asia Cup this year.

It is understood that the BCCI top brass' decision to suspend the league was well thought out call as only a handful of matches are left which can be completed in a 10-day window with possible double-headers.

The Indian team will be touring England from first week of June to first week of August and that schedule cannot be changed. The only period that looks good right now is between the second and fourth week of September where the BCCI can also negotiate with the various cricket boards to allow their players (except for freelancers who don't need permission) to come back and complete the tournament.

The IPL could also have been played in December but top Australian players like Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc, whose franchises are in play-off contention, will be busy with the Ashes along with some English players.

What Broadcasters Say On IPL 2025 Suspension?

The IPL 2025 broadcasters JioStar said they support BCCI's decision to suspend the tournament for a week, and affirmed that they stand firmly committed to prioritising national interest over all other considerations.

"We, at JioStar, wholeheartedly support the BCCI's decision to suspend TATA IPL 2025 and stand firmly committed to prioritise national interest over all other considerations. At this time, we must stand united with our country, support the government and our armed forces, and extend solidarity & support to the civilians affected."

"We will work with the BCCI to bring back the tournament at an appropriate time. JioStar will work closely with all stakeholders to ensure the transition is managed in a seamless manner and everyone involved in the tournament broadcast returns home safely,"JioStar said in a statement.

Why IPL 2025 Was Suspended?

The decision to halt the tournament for a week came on the back of cross-border tensions intensifying on Thursday night, leading to blackouts in Jammu, Udhampur and Pathankot, as air strikes and drones from Pakistan took over the skies. This led to the game between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals being called off at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala, about 80kms away from Pathankot, after just 10.1 of first innings were completed.

With the airport in Dharamshala and other north Indian cities closed, the players and support staff members of both PBKS and DC, along with match officials, commentators, broadcast crew members and other key IPL-related personnel were evacuated from Dharamshala by a bus taking them to Jalandhar on Friday morning, where a special train organised by the tournament is now bringing them to New Delhi.


(With Agencies Inputs)