The Indian Premier League (IPL) was put on a week-long suspension due to escalating security issues in the country, particularly tensions along the Pakistan border. This decision coincided with the relocation of the Pakistan Super League’s final equipment to the UAE due to similar concerns about safety.
According to an IPL statement, “Further updates regarding the new tournament schedule and venue will be provided after a thorough assessment of the situation in collaboration with relevant authorities and stakeholders.”
Transport within India has become tricky, with 27 airports shutting down over security fears, impacting host cities like Dharamsala. An IPL match that was supposed to feature the Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals was canceled after just 10.1 overs, leading players and team staff to hurriedly evacuate, mingling with coaches before boarding a charter train back to Delhi the following morning.
Dharamsala is situated roughly 80 km from Pathankot, one of India’s military bases which reported “missiles and drones” on Thursday. This prompted the cancellation of the match. An official from the Indian Cricket Commission remarked to a news agency, “Continuing cricket during wartime doesn’t send a good message.”
Rajeev Shukla, Vice President of BCCI, mentioned that a decision regarding the IPL’s future would be reached on Friday after discussions with government officials. “Right now, ensuring the safety of players, fans, and stakeholders is our top priority,” he emphasized.
With 58 matches already played and 12 group stages remaining, along with four playoff positions still to be decided, the BCCI faces the question of whether to finish the tournament and how to do so effectively. Moving to the UAE is not an option as it will host the PSL; however, relocating to South Africa remains plausible since all six franchises there are owned by IPL stakeholders. Interestingly, IPL had also been held in South Africa back in 2009 due to the Indian elections.
When the IPL last halted due to a resurgence of COVID in 2021, it resumed in September, concluding after India’s Test series in the UK later that year. India is slated to play six white-ball matches in Bangladesh in August, followed by an eight-team Asian Cup in September.
Both the international matches and the IPL are facing the possibility of cancellation, which could potentially allow the IPL to restart during the summer in the UK, coinciding with the Hundred T20 Blast.
Currently, there are ten English players involved in the IPL: Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Livingstone, Jamie Overton, Phil Salt, and Reece Topley.
