IPL 2025 suspended: What we know so far - a timeline of events

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Updated: May 9, 2025, 15:02 IST

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Escalating tensions between India and Pakistan led to the unprecedented suspension of the IPL 2025. Airstrikes, airspace closures, and missile firings prompted the BCCI to prioritise national security and player safety. The decision came after match postponement and venue change, with the league's future uncertain as officials consider alternative windows for resumption.

IPL 2025 suspended: What we know so far - a timeline of events

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. 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.

Operation Sindoor

IPL 2025 suspended: What happens next?

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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TOI Sports Desk

The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects. We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.

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