The Indian Premier League (IPL) has been suspended indefinitely because of the deadly conflict between India and Pakistan, Indian media reported yesterday.
Officials paused the richest tournament in cricket after a match on Thursday was abandoned in Dharamsala, less than 200km from the northern city of Jammu, where explosions were reported hours earlier.
Pakistan cricket has moved the remaining matches in its T20 league to the United Arab Emirates because of player safety and now the IPL has stopped indefinitely, Press Trust of India and others reported.
Photo: AFP
There was no immediate confirmation from the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
Five-time IPL champions the Chennai Super Kings wrote on X: “Nation first. Everything else can wait.”
Thursday’s match in the T20 league between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals was abruptly called off after 10.1 overs due to an apparent floodlight failure in the Himalayan hill town of Dharamsala.
The stadium was swiftly evacuated and players whisked out of the ground in the team bus, media reports said.
IPL chairman Arun Dhumal was seen signaling to fans to leave the stadium.
The 10-team IPL, which features cricket stars from around the world, started on March 22. Lucknow Super Giants had been scheduled to host Royal Challengers Bengaluru yesterday.
There are 12 games left in the group stage, which should have been followed by the playoffs, scheduled to be played in Hyderabad and Kolkata.
Gujarat Titans led the table followed by Bengaluru, with both teams on 16 points after 11 matches.
The final was set for May 25 at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens and typically attracts a vast global television audience.
Among the overseas stars are Australians Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head and Mitch Marsh, while former skipper Ricky Ponting coaches Punjab.
Some Australian players based in India could fly home as soon today, Australian Broadcasting Corp said.
Cricket Australia said in a statement yesterday before the suspension news: “We continue to closely monitor the situation in Pakistan and India... and maintaining communication with our players and support staff currently in the region.”
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