India-Pakistan Tensions: The 2025 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been put on hold for a week because of rising tensions between India and Pakistan. After the announcement, the South African Cricketers’ Association (SACA) and Cricket Australia (CA) expressed worries about their players’ safety.
The news was shared by BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia on Friday afternoon. A day earlier, on Thursday, May 8, the match between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Delhi Capitals (DC) in Dharamsala had to be stopped halfway through at the HPCA Stadium. Following this, all IPL teams have begun sending their players home.
Advertisement
South African Cricketers’ Association Voices Safety Concerns Amid India-Pakistan Tensions
Andrew Breetzke, the chief executive of the South African Cricketers’ Association, emphasized that player safety comes first and cannot be compromised. “The health and safety of players is not negotiable. We are in direct contact with all the South African players at the IPL and keeping them updated with security reports. We have offered them any support they need,” Breetzke stated, confirming ongoing communication with South African players in the IPL.
The growing India-Pakistan Tensions have caused worry and stress among teams, especially for overseas players. While there were discussions about shifting matches to different venues or even hosting the rest of the tournament in another country, the BCCI has decided to pause the league for now.
Everyone involved in the talks agreed that continuing the IPL under the current circumstances would not be the right decision.
Advertisement
Cricket Australia Monitoring Situation Closely
Cricket Australia said on Friday that it is keeping a close watch on the ongoing situation between India and Pakistan. They are staying in touch with the Australian Government, PCB, BCCI, and local authorities.
“We continue to closely monitor the situation in Pakistan and India, including obtaining regular advice and updates from the Australian Government, the PCB, BCCI and local government authorities, and maintaining communication with our players and support staff currently in the region,” the statement read.
Top Australian players like Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Travis Head are playing in IPL 2025, with former stars Ricky Ponting and Brad Haddin involved as coaches.
So far, 58 matches have been played this season, including the one abandoned in Dharamsala. Twelve league games are still left before the playoffs.
If the league can’t resume within a week, September could be the next available window. But that clashes with the Asia Cup 2025 and India’s tour of Bangladesh, making foreign player availability uncertain.
ALSO READ: PSL 2025 Matches Moved To Karachi Amid Rising Indo-Pak Tensions
Advertisement
