India-Pakistan conflict: Which sports events have been disrupted due to war?
Many sports competitions including the IPL have been suspended due to tense border situations.
Sports are a form of entertainment which can not continue at a time when India is engulfed in a near-war like situation. Following the henious Pahalgam attack which claimed the lives of 26 citizens, India launched ‘Operation Sindoor’ and ever since, the situation has become from bad to worse at the Line of Control (LOC) and nearby border states.
Apart from Jammu & Kashmir, states like Punjab, Rajasthan and even Gujarat have come under attack, with red alerts being imposed on Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi too.
With national attention focused on the safety and security of the country, and the Indian Army continuing to risk their lives for the nation’s welfare, several sporting events have been either canceled or suspended as a mark of respect and precaution. Today, we take a look at some of those impacted events.
Full list of sporting events that have been disrupted
Indian Premier League (IPL)
India’s prestigious T20 tournament, the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been suspended for at least a week. This decision was announced on May 9, following intense situation between India and Pakistan. Match #58 between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals, taking place in Dharamshala was halted after the 10th over mark.
It felt strange that the match was happening while there was a complete blackout in Pathankot, a city just five hours away. In light of the situation, players and spectators were asked to evacuate immediately. The BCCI swiftly arranged a special Vande Bharat Express to transport players, crew, and match officials from Dharamshala to New Delhi.
“The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to suspend the remainder of the ongoing TATA IPL 2025 with immediate effect for one week”, said BCCI in a formal statement. The organisation expressed its unwavering support to the Indian Army and Forces. “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 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.”
According to a recent reports, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Chennai have been shortlisted as potential venues for the tournament’s resumption. Meanwhile, the England Cricket Board (ECB) has offered to host the IPL on English soil, a move that could be looked at, as India is scheduled to tour England for a five-match Test series later this year.
Pakistan Super League (PSL)
Pakistan’s local T20 tournament, Pakistan Super League (PSL) has been postponed, after a blast occured near the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. On May 8, Rawalpindi was scheduled to host the Peshawar Zalmi vs Karachi Kings match.
In response to Pakistan’s attempts to attack India’s Western Frontier, India destroyed a Pakistani air force camp, with one of the drones allegedly striking the Rawalpindi cricket stadium, which happens to be close to Pakistan’s Army camp.
Sources report that the crash caused partial damage to a restaurant building near the stadium. Local reports from Pakistan indicate that authorities have cordoned off the area and are investigating the drone’s origin and potential payload. Two civilians injured in the incident have been transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has faced another major setback, as the UAE has refused to allow the PCB to host the league on its soil. The UAE had previously hosted several seasons of the tournament, including the most recent one in 2021, and had served as a neutral ground for Pakistan’s “home” matches for over a decade following the 2009 attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore.
With the potential for further escalation, overseas players are unlikely to return to Pakistan to complete the tournament. As a result, the PCB is racing against time to find a suitable venue for the competition’s resumption amid the ongoing conflict.
Also Read: India-Pakistan conflict: How sports fraternity reacted in support of Indian Armed Forces
Neeraj Chopra Classic (NC)
The inaugural Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025, a World Athletics A-level event, scheduled for May 24 at Bengaluru’s Sree Kanteerava Stadium has been indefinitely postponed due to heightened tensions between India and Pakistan.
The tournamet was slated to be India’s maiden international javelin competition, featuring elite javelin throwers from across the world including Paris Olympic bronze medalist and two-time world champion Anderson Peters of Grenada, Rio Olympic silver medalist Julius Yego of Kenya and India’s own Neeraj Chopra among others.
“In light of the current situation, the inaugural edition of the NC Classic stands postponed until further notice. We believe in the unifying power of sport. But, in this critical moment, standing firm with the nation matters most. All our gratitude and thoughts at this point are only with our Armed Forces, who are at the forefront for our nation. A revised schedule for the NC Classic will be provided in due course. Jai Hind!”
Bengal Pro T20 League
The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) has announced the postponement of the Bengal Pro T20 League Season in light of the recent tensions between India and Pakistan. The women’s competition was originally slated to begin on May 16 and continue until June 4, followed by the men’s tournament from June 4 to June 21.
In an official statement, the CAB said: “In these testing times, the Cricket Association of Bengal stands in full solidarity with the nation. We wholeheartedly support the efforts of the Government of India and salute the courage and dedication of our armed forces. Their unwavering service under Operation Sindoor is a source of immense pride and inspiration for all Indians.
Cricket has always brought us together, but during moments like these, we are reminded that our highest duty is to the nation. The CAB remains firmly committed to the ideals of national unity and security, and every decision we make will reflect that commitment.”
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Aniruddh Seshadri Iyer is a passionate sports journalist at Khel Now, specializing in tennis and Olympic sports. An engineer by training, he found his storytelling passion through iconic Grand Slam and Olympic moments. Known for sharp analysis and insightful coverage, he draws inspiration from Novak Djokovic’s resilience. Outside journalism, he enjoys reading, traveling, and playing the guitar.
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