Responding to the suspension of IPL owing to the deepening military confrontation between India and Pakistan, the BCCI has said that “national interest trumps other considerations at a time when the country is responding to a terror attack and unwarranted aggression from across the border”.
“The BCCI has decided to suspend the remainder of the ongoing IPL with immediate effect for one week,” BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia stated in a press release on Friday after early information from the Board suggested that the suspension was indefinite.
“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,” said the BCCI.
The Board is looking to conduct the remaining 16 matches (12 league and four knockouts) at an opportune time, and there is speculation that the matches could be conducted in September if the scheduled Asia Cup is scrapped.
“At this critical juncture, the BCCI stands firmly with the nation. We express our solidarity with the Government of India, the armed forces and the people of our country,” the Board stated.
“The Board salutes the bravery, courage and selfless service of our armed forces, whose heroic efforts under Operation Sindoor continue to protect and inspire the nation as they lead a resolute response to the recent terrorist attack and the unwarranted aggression by Pakistan's armed forces,” said the release.
The BCCI said that while cricket remains a national passion, it is not greater than the sovereignty, integrity and security of the country. “The BCCI remains firmly committed to support all efforts that safeguard India and will always align its decisions in the best interest of the nation,” it stated.
The Board also thanked stakeholders like the official broadcaster, the title sponsor and all associate partners for “putting national interest above all other considerations”.
Cricketing nations voice concerns
The military confrontation is also said to have caused significant anxiety among the foreign IPL players, and they will be flying back over the next few days. At last year’s mega-auction, 62 overseas players were signed up by the 10 franchises. “The players are doing well, but they are concerned after seeing all that has happened,” an IPL team official said.
In Sydney, Cricket Australia stated that it was closely monitoring the situation in both India and Pakistan, which has shifted its flagship Pakistan Super League (PSL) to the UAE owing to the Indian military action.
New Zealand's players’ association has also expressed concern about the security scenario in India and Pakistan due to the ongoing conflict.
A similar statement was issued by the Cricket West Indies, whose players participate in both the IPL and PSL.
Not the first IPL disruption
It’s not the first time that external factors have disrupted the IPL, which has been taken thrice out of the country in the past due to varied reasons.
In 2009, the entire tournament was moved to South Africa because of security issues amid the Lok Sabha elections.
In 2020, the tournament was played in the UAE in September instead of the usual April-May window due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Next year, the event began in India in a bio-bubble, but was halted when players started testing positive for the deadly infection. The league was eventually completed in the UAE in September that year.
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