The Indian Premier League (IPL), one of the biggest cricket leagues in the world, has been suspended in 2025 due to sudden rising tensions between India and Pakistan. The announcement came after a match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals was halted mid-way in Dharamshala, Punjab, when an air red alert was issued in the area.
This is the first time in IPL history that the tournament has been postponed due to a political conflict involving international tension. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) immediately decided to put the tournament on hold indefinitely to ensure safety and avoid further risk.
When Did IPL Shift to Other Countries in the Past?
While the current situation is the first of its kind involving military-level conflict, the IPL has been shifted or postponed earlier for various reasons:
🏏 IPL 2009: Shifted to South Africa
In 2009, the second season of IPL moved completely to South Africa. This happened due to general elections in India. The government could not provide full security to both elections and the IPL, so the tournament was relocated.
🏏 IPL 2014: First Phase in UAE
In 2014, the Lok Sabha elections once again led to changes in the IPL schedule. This time, the first half of the tournament was played in UAE — in Dubai, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi — while the second half returned to India after elections ended.
🏏 IPL 2020: Fully Played in UAE Due to COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic brought the world to a standstill. The IPL, too, was postponed and later conducted completely in the UAE between September and November 2020.
🏏 IPL 2021: Postponed Midway, Finished in UAE
In 2021, the second wave of COVID-19 in India forced the BCCI to stop the tournament mid-season. The remaining matches resumed later in UAE during the second half of the year.
IPL 2025: Why Was It Suspended This Year?
In 2025, IPL started normally in India, but during a live match in Dharamshala, security forces raised an air alert due to growing military tension with Pakistan. With many cities under high alert, BCCI decided to suspend the tournament keeping safety and national interest in mind.
So far, no official update has been given by the BCCI regarding the rescheduling or relocation of IPL 2025. Discussions are ongoing, and the decision may depend on the political and security situation in the coming weeks.
How Many Times IPL Faced Disruptions
Here’s a quick recap of IPL interruptions so far:
| Year | Reason | Action Taken | Location |
| 2009 | General elections | Full tournament moved | South Africa |
| 2014 | General elections | Half tournament in UAE | UAE + India |
| 2020 | COVID-19 | Full tournament moved | UAE |
| 2021 | COVID-19 second wave | Mid-season shift | India + UAE |
| 2025 | India-Pakistan border tension | Tournament suspended indefinitely | India (ongoing) |
Sources: BCCI, Cricbuzz, Times of India
