In the wake of escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced that the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 will resume on May 17 after a week-long suspension. However, the remaining 17 matches will be held without cheerleaders or DJ performances, in a move reflecting the nation’s somber mood.
The temporary suspension came after a tragic terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, that claimed 26 lives. The Indian government’s subsequent military response, titled Operation Sindoor, has heightened national sensitivity. As a mark of respect for the victims and in light of the ongoing situation, the BCCI is planning to strip the tournament of its usual festive elements.
Sources within the BCCI revealed that this decision was influenced by public sentiment and calls from several former cricketers and public figures, including cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar, who urged the board to conduct the remainder of the tournament with restraint. “No DJ, no dancing, no cheerleaders. Let it be cricket, and cricket alone,” Gavaskar said in a statement earlier this week.
The revised schedule has been released, with all franchises informed of the changes. Security has also been beefed up at all venues, and contingency plans are in place to ensure player and spectator safety.
Despite the changes, the matches will continue to be telecast live and are expected to draw strong viewership, as cricket fans rally behind the game in these challenging times.
The IPL final is now scheduled to take place on June 3, 2025.
