In a significant development, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the indefinite suspension of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season due to escalating tensions along the India-Pakistan border. The situation reached boiling point on Thursday, May 8, during the match between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Delhi Capitals (DC) at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium in Dharamshala. With PBKS in a strong position at 122 for 1 in just 10.1 overs, the match was abruptly halted following fresh attacks reported from Jammu. In the immediate aftermath, blackout struck Dharamshala prompting authorities to evacuate the stadium.
The suspension directly impacts today’s highly-anticipated clash between Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), which was scheduled to be held at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. However, Lucknow is geographically distant from the immediate border zones, but the unpredictable nature of national security threats left no room for risks. The statement of Devajit Saikia regarding the cancellation of the match as quoted by Sports Tak reads: "Keeping everything in mind, we have decided to call off today's match. Things are not okay as of now. That's why we called off today's match. Players, spectators and support staff's safety is priority. We will do everything that is in the best interest of the nation. We are monitoring the situation and will take a call accordingly," Saikia told Sports Tak.
Before the abrupt suspension, 58 matches had been completed this season, including the abandoned game in Dharamshala. A total of 12 league-stage matches and four playoff fixtures including the final in Kolkata were yet to be played. The venues for the remaining league matches included Lucknow, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Jaipur. The playoffs were scheduled to be held in Hyderabad and Kolkata. At this stage, the future of the IPL 2025 season remains uncertain. BCCI has not provided a timeline for when or if the league will resume.
With the tournament suspended, the immediate focus has shifted to ensuring the safe return of all players, support staff, and officials to their respective homes and countries. Several foreign players are expected to depart from India as early as today.
Despite the heightened tensions, IPL chairman Arun Dhumal initially confirmed that the fixture between Lucknow Super Giants and Royal Challengers Bengaluru on May 9 would go ahead as scheduled unless stated otherwise. However, the evolving situation has led to a reconsideration of this decision. Dhumal emphasized that the board is closely monitoring developments and that any decisions would prioritize the safety of all involved. "Yes, it is on as of now, but obviously it is an evolving situation and any decision will be taken keeping the best interest of all stakeholders in mind," he stated.
The match between PBKS and DC had to be called off midway due to air raid alerts in nearby cities, including Jammu and Pathankot, as cross-border hostilities intensified. In the aftermath, both teams were evacuated, and special travel arrangements were made for players and officials to ensure their safety. The players and officials were moved to Delhi via a special train from Pathankot, located roughly 85 km from Dharamshala.
As the IPL season faced uncertainty, the escalating military tensions followed India's retaliatory strikes in response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, disrupting civilian and sporting life. The situation has forced tournament organizers to reconsider logistics and safety protocols mid-season.
Looking ahead, the clash between LSG and RCB was set to be a pivotal one in the playoff race of IPL 2025. RCB entered the contest riding high on a four-match winning streak, comfortably placed in second on the points table with 16 points from 11 games. A win would virtually seal their place in the playoffs. In contrast, LSG was reeling from three consecutive defeats and sat seventh with 10 points from as many games. For them, this was a do-or-die encounter.
Lucknow's campaign has been marred by inconsistent middle-order performances and the ongoing struggles of captain Rishabh Pant, who has failed to live up to expectations as the most expensive player in IPL history. While the top three—Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, and Nicholas Pooran—have shown glimpses of form, they’ve lacked solid support from the rest. Their bowling unit, too, has been unable to find a match-winning combination.
RCB, on the other hand, looked far more settled. The opening pair of Virat Kohli and Jacob Bethell has provided good starts, though the middle order remains a silent concern. With Phil Salt’s availability still uncertain, the top order may carry extra responsibility. RCB’s bowling struggled in the absence of Josh Hazlewood during their last match against CSK, particularly at the death, which they aimed to tighten against LSG.
Adding to RCB’s injury list, Devdutt Padikkal has been ruled out of the season due to a hamstring issue, with Mayank Agarwal brought in as a replacement. It remains to be seen whether Agarwal slots directly into the XI. Meanwhile, LSG had a clean bill of health ahead of the clash.
As the match day approached, the weather forecast indicated a hot and humid day in Lucknow, with temperatures expected to hit 38C by late morning and remain steady through the afternoon. By evening, the mercury was expected to dip to around 30C. According to the IMD, a partly cloudy sky was forecast, with chances of thunder and lightning later in the day. Accuweather predicted a 6% chance of rain during the day, slightly rising to 7% at night.
In terms of head-to-head record, RCB led with three wins out of five matches against LSG, although LSG had the upper hand in their last meeting in IPL 2024, winning by 28 runs. As the IPL season continued to face uncertainty, the fate of the tournament and the safety of all involved remained the top priority.
