A look back at dramatic scenes as league halted abruptly due to India-Pakan conflict

The Indian Premier League 2025 is set to return after being abruptly suspended the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) due to the conflict between India and Pakan. However, with the ceasefire agreement put into place between the two bordering countries, things are getting back to normalcy. The last one week saw the Punjab Kings versus Delhi Capitals IPL 2025 being put on hold, followed the league’s suspension, then players being evacuated from Dharamsala via a specially arranged train, to players returning to their homes.Here’s looking back at all the major developments related to IPL 2025 in the last one week:
8th May 2025 (Thursday): PBKS vs MI match shifted to Ahmedabad
The first major development came when the IPL 2025 match between Punjab Kings and Mumbai Indians, scheduled for May 11 in Dharamsala, was shifted to Ahmedabad owing to the closure of the hill town’s airport in the wake of military action against terror infrastructure in Pakan.
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Report |May 11 IPL fixture between Punjab Kings and Mumbai Indians moved to Ahmedabad from Dharamsala
8th May 2025 (Thursday): PBKS vs DC match in Dharamsala called off  midway
Thursday evening saw the IPL 2025 match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala being called off due to security reasons. This was after the floodlights at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala went off. Arun Dhumal, IPL Chairman, said that the decision was taken as a precautionary measure, based on the red alert issued in Jammu. This development put IPL under a cloud of uncertainty, following a blackout and air raid alerts in neighbouring towns, including Pathankot, just 90 km from the stadium.
The match was called off after Punjab batted for 10.1 overs, putting a strong 122/1 on the board. Openers Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh struck classy half-centuries before the match had to be abandoned.

This development happened after the Indian armed forces launched precision missile strikes on nine terror targets in Pakan and Pakan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, including the strongholds of Jaish-e-Mohammed in Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba in Muridke. The strikes were in response to the attack in Pahalgam in which 26 people, mostly tours, were gunned down.Story continues below this ad
Report |Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals called off in Dharamsala
8th May 2025 (Thursday): BCCI waits for government advice, ready with Plan B
The unprecedented blackout on the western front on Thursday cast a long shadow on IPL. The BCCI went into a huddle to decide the future of the tournament.
“We are monitoring the situation, seeking the Government’s advice, and will take the final decision on the IPL tomorrow. The situation is changing day day. We will do whatever we are told and inform all stakeholders. At the moment, our priority is the safety of all players, fans and stakeholders,” BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla told The Indian Express on Thursday.
The Indian Express Report |BCCI waits for government advice, ready with Plan BStory continues below this ad

8th May 2025 (Thursday): Players, commentators, support staff & production crew evacuated from Dharamsala via Train
The personnel involved in the IPL 2025 match between the Punjab Kings and the Delhi Capitals were evacuated from Dharamsala via a specially arranged train. The teams, along with the players, support staff, commentators, and production crew, were ferried to New Delhi on the following day.
Shreyas Iyer along with his Punjab Kings teammates on the train from Dharamsala. (Screenshot via IPL X)
Watch | Special train evacuates Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings players from Dharamsala
9th May 2025 (Friday): IPL 2025 officially suspended
Amid a lot of uncertainty and hesitancy in the wake of tensions at the border following aerial attacks Pakan on Thursday night, the BCCI officially suspended the 18th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) on Friday. BCCI confirmed that the remainder of the tournament was postponed for one week with immediate effect.
The decision was taken after discussions with the Government on Friday morning, following which the BCCI sent a formal note to all the IPL franchises on suspending the league temporarily.Story continues below this ad
“Further updates regarding the new schedule and venues of the tournament will be announced in due course after a comprehensive assessment of the situation in consultation with relevant authorities and stakeholders,” BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said in a statement.
Although the decision was formally made public only around 2.40 pm on Friday, the franchises were informed of the decision earlier that day to help the swift movement of players and support staff.
The Indian Express Report | BCCI puts IPL on pause for a week; Punjab Kings-Delhi Capitals game to be replayed
10th May 2025 (Saturday): Ceasefire between India and Pakan announced
India and Pakan have agreed to a “full and immediate ceasefire”, US President Donald Trump announced on Saturday in a post on Truth Social claiming the decision was reached after a “long night” of talks mediated the United States.Story continues below this ad
The Indian Express Report | India-Pakan agree to full and immediate ceasefire
10th May 2025 (Saturday): BCCI looking for immediate IPL 2025 restart
IPL chairman Arun Dhumal said that the BCCI was looking at the possibility of starting the suspended IPL  ‘immediately’ after India and Pakan announced the ceasefire.
“Ceasefire has just been announced. We now explore the possibility of resuming and concluding the IPL. If it is possible to conduct it immediately… We need to work out the venue dates and everything, and we would now be speaking to all the stakeholders, including team owners, broadcasters, and everyone involved and find a way as to how to move forward. Most importantly, we will have to consult with the government,” Dhumal had told The Indian Express on Saturday.
It is learnt that IPL franchises have been informed to be ready as the BCCI wants to start the league as soon as possible. (Sportzpics)
It was also learnt that IPL franchises have been informed to be ready, as the BCCI wanted to start the league as soon as possible.Story continues below this ad
The Indian Express Report | ‘Looking at the possibility of restarting IPL immediately… will consult government’: IPL chairman Arun Dhumal
10th May 2025 (Saturday): New venues shortled for IPL 2025 remainder

The Indian board also shortled Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad as venues for the remaining IPL games.
11th May 2025 (Sunday):
BCCI plan to extend IPL till May 30, with the board contemplating to host the remaining matches in the three venues — Chennai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad from May 16. The new schedule was also set to be released to the IPL franchise Sunday night.
The Indian Express Report | IPL restart: IPL 2025 final to be pushed back, players asked to reassemble TuesdayStory continues below this ad
“As the IPL was suspended for a week, there is a possibility of the IPL final now being played on May 30 instead of May 25 with limited venues. The schedule will be sent to all IPL teams tonight,” source in the BCCI informed the Indian Express.