IPL 2025 News LIVE: BCCI suspends IPL for one week 'with immediate effect' amid India-Pakistan tensions; SRH issue ticket refunds

With the 2025 Indian Premier League temporarily suspended for a week following escalating tensions along the western border, teams are now managing the logistics of relocating their squads. On Friday, players from Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings arrived in Delhi, travelling from Dharamsala where their recent fixture was halted midway due to security concerns.

The situation has caused widespread anxiety among overseas players across franchises, prompting the BCCI and respective teams to expedite travel arrangements. While Indian players are expected to return to their hometowns, foreign players and staff are preparing to fly out of the country until further notice.

As the IPL 2025 was suspended for a week due to escalating India-Pakistan tensions, a video of Delhi Capitals stars KL Rahul and Faf du Plessis, along with other teammates, relaxing in a river near Dharamsala went viral.

Captured by a fan, the footage shows players enjoying Uttarakhand’s scenic beauty following the abrupt halt of their match against Punjab Kings due to air raid alerts.

The cheerful clip has since circulated widely across social media platforms.

ICC Chairman Jay Shah on Friday voiced strong support for the Indian armed forces amid escalating cross-border tensions.

In an Instagram story, Shah praised their bravery, saying, “Our armed forces are our pride… We salute our brave men and women shielding our nation from terrorism.”

His remarks came after Pakistan launched aerial attacks on Jammu, Rajasthan, and key military bases near the western border. India’s air defence systems successfully intercepted the threats, but the incident led to blackouts and emergency alerts across several states.

Shah urged unity in honouring the armed forces and building a stronger, more united India.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has proposed that the remaining matches of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 be played in the United Kingdom, in light of the tournament's abrupt suspension. His suggestion comes after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a week-long halt to the league, citing rising military tensions between India and Pakistan.

The BCCI's decision followed a dramatic incident in Dharamsala, where the match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals was abandoned mid-way due to air raid alerts in nearby areas. The escalating conflict, sparked by a recent terror attack and subsequent military operations, has cast a shadow over the remainder of the high-profile T20 tournament.

"We stand with every soldier on the frontlines, and every family waiting for them back home. In times like these, words will never be enough but our gratitude is endless. For your courage, your sacrifice, and your unwavering commitment to protect this nation, we are forever indebted. You defend not just our borders, but our dreams. We pray for peace, we honour your service, and we will never forget what you give for this country. Jai Hind" - Dinesh Karthik posted on X.

With the IPL 2025 suspended for a week due to escalating India-Pakistan tensions, franchises are now working on travel logistics for players.

Indian players are returning home, while overseas players will be flown out with assistance from the BCCI and team management.

The suspension followed the abrupt halt of the Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals match in Dharamsala due to security concerns, triggering anxiety among foreign players.

Teams are currently scattered across cities — DC and PBKS are en route to Delhi, MI were in Ahmedabad but will return to Mumbai, GT were in Delhi, and RCB may disperse directly from Lucknow.

The abandoned match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals was the 58th fixture of the IPL 2025 league stage, leaving 12 league matches yet to be played, excluding the playoffs. A total of 70 league games were scheduled for this season.

Originally, the league phase was set to wrap up on May 18 with a double-header. The second-last match would have seen Gujarat Titans face Chennai Super Kings in Match 69, followed by the final league clash between Lucknow Super Giants and Sunrisers Hyderabad in Match 70.

JioStar has issued a statement on IPL's suspension: "We, at JioStar, wholeheartedly support the BCCI’s decision to suspend TATA IPL 2025 and stand firmly committed to prioritise national interest over all other considerations. At this time, we must stand united with our country, support the government and our armed forces, and extend solidarity & support to the civilians affected. We will work with the BCCI to bring back the tournament at an appropriate time. JioStar will work closely with all stakeholders to ensure the transition is managed in a seamless manner and everyone involved in the tournament broadcast returns home safely."

Former Indian cricketer Madan Lal believes the Board Control of Cricket In India (BCCI) has made the right decision to suspend the Indian Premier League (IPL).

"Look, the BCCI has taken a good decision. At present, our country India, is fighting Pakistan, so I don't think it's a good thing if we continue the IPL. Then we can wait for the rest of the decision, the BCCI should take only after consulting the government," Madan Lal told ANI.

Players from Mumbai Indians, initially in Ahmedabad, and Gujarat Titans, in Delhi, are heading back home after suspension. There is no clarity yet on the overseas players.

The Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) received an anonymous email on Friday morning which threatened to blow up the Arun Jaitley Stadium in the capital. The stadium is home to the Delhi Capitals franchise and was scheduled to host the IPL 2025 fixture between DC and Gujarat Titans on May 11 before the tournament was suspended for a week.

"Yes, we received a threat email this morning and have already forwarded it to the Delhi Police. They already swung into action and did an inspection of the venue some time back," said a DDCA official to TimesofIndia.com

In a media release, Devajit Saikia, BCCI Honorary Secretary has said, "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. 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.

The decision was taken by the IPL Governing Council after due consultation with all key stakeholders following the representations from most of the franchisees, who conveyed the concern and sentiments of their players, and also the views of the broadcaster, sponsors and fans ; while the BCCI reposes full faith in the strength and preparedness of our armed forces, the Board considered it prudent to act in the collective interest of all stakeholders.

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.

While cricket remains a national passion, there is nothing greater than the Nation and its sovereignty, integrity, and security of our 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.

The BCCI thanks its key stakeholder – Jiostar, the league’s official broadcaster for their understanding and unwavering support. The Board is also grateful to Title sponsor TATA and all associate partners and stakeholders for coming forward with their unequivocal support for this decision and for putting national interest above all other considerations."

IPL 2025 fixture between PBKS and DC was set to be decisive in deciding the course of the playoffs. With no team confirmed to be heading into the next stage, every game mattered at the top of the order.

What initially appeared to be a promising game quickly shifted into a tense evacuation, overseen by IPL officials and the BCCI.

The match, delayed by an hour due to rain, began with the Punjab Kings showcasing some impressive batting in the first innings. Openers Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya formed a rapid 122-run partnership in just 10 overs, thrilling the crowd. Arya contributed a blazing 70 off 34 balls, while Prabhsimran added a steady 50 not out off 28.

Suddenly, the stadium lights went out — only one of four towers remained operational. The situation soon intensified beyond technical issues, as security concerns grew amid reports of missile activity from Pakistan and increasing regional instability. IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal appeared on the field, urging spectators to evacuate immediately.

The match was officially called off after 10.1 overs. Shortly after, players and staff were escorted out of the venue in separate vehicles.

After spending overnight in the team hotel, the teams were first transported by bus to Pathankot, 85 km away, where they boarded a special BCCI-organised train to Delhi.

Lucknow Super Giants players are heading home after the Indian Premier League (IPL) was suspended indefinitely on Friday amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 was officially suspended on Friday, May 9, amid rising regional tensions and growing national security concerns stemming from the India-Pakistan conflict.

The announcement followed the postponement of the Punjab Kings (PBKS) vs Delhi Capitals (DC) fixture in Dharamsala, on a day when Pakistan launched eight missiles toward Indian territories — including Satwari, Samba, RS Pura, and Arnia. All were successfully intercepted by India’s air defence systems.

While no IPL venues were directly targeted, the BCCI and the IPL Governing Council moved swiftly to suspend the tournament, citing the safety of players and staff as the top priority.

The suspension impacts the closing stretch of the season, with 16 matches still to be played — 12 league games and four playoff fixtures.

This marks the first mid-season suspension of the IPL since 2021, when the tournament was halted due to a surge in COVID-19 cases and multiple bio-bubble breaches. That edition, paused on May 4, resumed in September in the United Arab Emirates.

In recent days, signs of disruption had emerged when the PBKS vs Mumbai Indians clash was relocated from Dharamsala to Ahmedabad after northern Indian airspace was closed by the government.

On May 9, following the official postponement of the PBKS vs DC match, the BCCI arranged a special train to evacuate players, officials, and broadcasters from the region.

“We’re organising a train to bring everyone back safely,” BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla said. “The match has been called off and the stadium evacuated. We will decide on the tournament’s future based on tomorrow’s situation, but player safety is our top priority.”

With the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 suspended indefinitely, it is very unlikely at this stage that India will tour Bangladesh (August) and participate in the Asia Cup (September) later this year. It is reliably understood that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) could well use that window to complete the remainder of IPL if the need arises.

India are scheduled to travel to England in the first week of June for a five-match Test tour and the August-September window could be the only opportunity for the BCCI to complete the tournament if the tensions don't die down soon. Even if the IPL is completed before the scheduled India tour of Bangladesh and Asia Cup, it is completely off the table. The BCCI appear to be in no mood to soften that stand.

The Indian cricket board is now ensuring all players, support staff members are safe and not in a state of panic after what happened during the game between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala on Thursday night. It is learnt that the players from both camps have been in a state of shock since then, and they left the hilly region early in the morning.

ndian cricketer Rohit Sharma showed his support for the country's military action against terror infrastructure in Pakistan. Rohit, who recently announced his retirement from Test cricket, expressed pride in the Indian Armed Forces through a social media post.

"With every passing moment, with every decision taken I feel extremely proud of our Indian Army, Indian Airforce & Indian Navy. Our warriors are standing tall for our nation’s pride. It’s important for every Indian to be responsible and refrain from spreading or believing any fake news. Stay safe, everyone! #OperationSindoor #JaiHind," Rohit wrote.

The match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala on Thursday was called off due to security concerns following air raid alerts in neighbouring regions, prompting the BCCI to reassess the situation.

In the early hours of Wednesday, Indian forces launched precision strikes on nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, including key bases of Jaish-e-Mohammed in Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba in Muridke.

These operations were in retaliation to the Pahalgam attack, where 26 civilians—mostly tourists—were killed. Pakistan responded by targeting 15 Indian cities, which led to a second wave of counterstrikes from India.

Rohit also made headlines on Wednesday by announcing his immediate retirement from Test cricket, putting an end to speculation about his red-ball future. With this, India will need a new captain for the upcoming five-Test series against England.

Having already stepped away from T20Is after leading India to the World Cup title last year, the 38-year-old will now continue solely in the ODI format.

"Hello everyone, I would just like to share that I am retiring from Test cricket. It's been an absolute honour to represent my country in whites.

Thank you for all the love and support over the years. I will continue to represent India in the ODI format," Rohit posted on Instagram, sharing a picture of his Test cap, shortly after PTI broke the story.

Rohit leaves Test cricket as one of India's most dependable batters in recent years, amassing 4,301 runs from 67 Tests with 12 centuries and 18 fifties at an average of 40.57.

If the IPL suspension is officially confirmed soon, the window earmarked for the India tour of Bangladesh and the Asia Cup could be used to complete the tournament.

Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals have left Dharamsala and are on their way. They departed from the hotel early this morning.

After PBKS vs DC was called off, both teams returned to their hotel. The entire contingent alongside officials and broadcast crew are scheduled to leave Dharamsala on a special train today (May 9).

BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla confirmed, “We’re organising a train to bring everyone back safely. The match has been called off, and the stadium evacuated. We will decide on the tournament’s future based on tomorrow’s situation, but player safety is our top priority.”

While no IPL venues were under threat, the overall sentiment potentially forced a temporary halt of the tournament to prioritise safety and national security.

Overseas players had been reportedly anxious, seeking reassurances from the BCCI and Indian government to remain in the country. Before the IPL was called off, Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians were already on the move to their respective venues for upcoming matches.

The move came a day after the fixture between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala was postponed. The came not long after Pakistan fired eight missiles directed at Satwari, Samba, RS Pura and Arnia and all were intercepted and blocked by air defence units.

The writing was on the cards after IPL Governing Council went into a huddle mode. Earlier, the fixture between PBKS and Mumbai Indians was moved to Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad as the government announced closing of airspace in Dharamsala and nearby cities.

The 2025 edition of the Indian Premier League is set to be suspended as cross-border tensions escalate. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has been in a huddle since last night exploring all possible options.

It is understood that the Indian cricket board doesn't want the league to continue considering the current sentiment of the nation.

Additionally, a lot of overseas players from different franchises have started panicking and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) too want to return home from Lucknow - the venue of tonight's match vs Lucknow Super Giants.

BCCI continues as usual with IPL 2025.

Practice sessions and press conferences are going ahead as planned today in Hyderabad

Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals, who had their match abandoned on Thursday, have begun their journey to Delhi.

As things stand, LSG vs RCB today in Lucknow, is set to go ahead.

MI, meanwhile, landed in Ahmedabad on Thursday for their fixture against Punjab Kings, which has been moved from Dharamsala.

Amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan, Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra has extended his full support to the Indian Armed Forces, lauding their bravery and unwavering resolve in tackling terrorism. The two-time Olympic medallist and reigning javelin ace took to his official X account to stand in solidarity with the forces and urged citizens to act responsibly in these challenging times.


"We are proud of our Brave Indian Armed Forces who are fighting for our nation against Terrorism. Let's do our part and make sure to follow guidelines to ensure everyone's safety during this time. Jay Hind Jay Bharat. Jay Hind Ki Sena," Chopra wrote.

Chopra, the double Olympic medallist in javelin, is set to compete at the Ostrava Golden Spike 2025 athletics meet on June 24 in the Czech Republic. After being forced to withdraw from the past two editions due to injury, he will finally aim to make his debut at the prestigious meet.

Although he couldn’t participate in 2023 and 2024 owing to fitness issues, Chopra was present at the venue last year as a special guest. The upcoming event holds added significance as it will be hosted in the homeland of his legendary coach, Jan Zelezny.

"I am excited to announce that I will take part in the Golden Spike meeting in Ostrava this year. It's a legendary race and this year will be exceptional. My coach Jan Železný has not only won there many times, but also acts as the director of the whole event.

"I feel great and I hope you will see really nice and far-reaching feasts. I look forward to meeting you all," Chopra said in a press release issued by the tournament organisers.

Established in 1961, the Golden Spike meet is part of the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold label, ranking just below the Diamond League in global athletics importance.

Before competing in Ostrava, Chopra—who claimed silver at the Paris 2024 Olympics and holds a world championship gold—will take part in the Doha Diamond League on May 16, followed by the inaugural Neeraj Chopra Classic in Bengaluru on May 24.

He has opted out of the Asian Athletics Championships, scheduled from May 27 to 31 in Gumi, South Korea.

The men’s javelin event in Ostrava will feature a high-calibre field, including Czech Republic’s Jakub Vadlejch, the silver medallist from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

IPL chairman Arun Dhumal was seen signalling to spectators to evacuate the stadium in Dharamsala on Thursday, as the India-Pakistan tensions escalated and forced the match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals to be abandoned. In the wake of the mid-game cancellation, players and support staff from both sides will now be transported to Delhi via a special train from Pathankot, approximately 85 km away.

The match had started after a one-hour delay but was halted abruptly after just 10.1 overs due to a floodlight failure, with only one floodlight tower functioning at the venue. Following a prolonged wait and failed attempts to resolve the issue, officials decided to call off the game. Spectators and officials were promptly evacuated from the ground.

A video now viral on social media captures Arun Dhumal walking onto the field and urging the crowd to exit the stadium immediately.

Before the interruption, Punjab Kings had made a dominant start. After electing to bat first, openers Prabhsimran Singh (50* off 28) and Priyansh Arya (70 off 34) put together a blistering 122-run partnership. Arya began aggressively, hitting back-to-back boundaries off Mitchell Starc in the opening over. Prabhsimran soon joined the onslaught, smashing Starc for three fours before Arya took on Dushmantha Chameera with a four and two sixes.

Despite Axar Patel’s entry in the fifth over, Delhi Capitals couldn’t stem the flow of runs, with Punjab reaching 69/0 at the end of the powerplay. Arya soon reached his fifty off just 25 balls, and PBKS crossed the 100-run mark in just 8.5 overs. He continued his assault, launching Kuldeep Yadav for back-to-back sixes. Prabhsimran followed suit, hitting a boundary and bringing up his fourth consecutive half-century.

The opening stand was finally broken when Arya miscued a shot off T. Natarajan and was caught at short third-man. However, before the next delivery could be bowled, players were taken off the field due to the lighting issue. With no resolution in sight, the game was eventually abandoned.

s tensions escalate between India and Pakistan, former Indian cricketers Virender Sehwag and Shikhar Dhawan voiced strong support for the Indian Armed Forces, asserting that the country will deliver a firm response to recent cross-border hostilities. Taking to his official X handle, Sehwag accused Pakistan of choosing war and condemned its actions to shield terrorist elements.


"War has been chosen by Pakistan when they had an opportunity to keep quiet. They have escalated to save it’s terrorist assets, speaks so much about them. Our forces will reply in the most appropriate manner, a manner Pakistan will never forget," Sehwag posted on May 8, 2025.

Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan also expressed solidarity with the armed forces, lauding their swift and brave response.

"Respect to our brave hearts for protecting our borders with such strength and stopping the drone attack on Jammu. India stands strong. Jai Hind!" Dhawan wrote on X.

The reactions from the cricketers came as defence sources confirmed that Pakistan had launched eight missiles targeting key areas, including Satwari, Samba, RS Pura, and Arnia. All incoming missiles were successfully intercepted by India's air defence systems.

Explosions were reported in Udhampur, Jammu and Kashmir, where Pakistani drones were intercepted. Similar instances occurred in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, where residents reported loud blasts and flashes of light in the sky.

As a safety measure, blackouts were enforced across several regions, including Bikaner (Rajasthan), Jalandhar and Amritsar (Punjab), and Kishtwar, Akhnoor, Samba, and Jammu in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

These developments follow India’s recent launch of Operation Sindoor, a precision military response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed 28 civilian lives.

The IPL match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals on Thursday was abandoned midway due to air raid alerts in the neighbouring cities of Jammu and Pathankot, casting a cloud of uncertainty over the remainder of the tournament. Punjab Kings were in a dominant position at 122 for 1 in 10.1 overs when the lights suddenly went out — initially assumed to be a floodlight malfunction. The game had already started later than scheduled, with growing concerns over the escalating cross-border tensions in the region.

As security agencies swung into action, both teams and the packed crowd — around 23,000 spectators at the scenic Dharamsala venue — were safely evacuated from the stadium.

Amid the evacuation, several fans were heard chanting anti-Pakistan slogans as panic and anger spread through the stands.

Before the abrupt halt, Punjab’s opening pair had provided a fiery start — Prabhsimran Singh was unbeaten on 50 off 28 balls, while Priyansh Arya smashed a quickfire 70 off 34 before falling to pacer T Natarajan.

With the situation tense, players and support staff from both franchises will now be transported to Delhi via a special train arranged from Pathankot, roughly 85 km away from Dharamsala.

"We are organising a special train from close to Dharamsala to bring everybody home safely. As of now the match has been called off and the stadium has been evacuated. We will take a call on the tournament's future depending on the situation tomorrow. As of now, players' safety is utmost important. The match couldn't have continued tonight because of the situation. It wasn't safe," says BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla.

It is understood that players of both teams have reached their hotel and will now await more information from the Indian cricket board for future course of action.

Panic has gripped the IPL at the moment and there was uneasiness amongst players of both DC and PBKS even before the game got underway. Since both teams had reached before the airports were closed, there was no clarity on their departure from the hills.

The IPL clash between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals on Thursday was abandoned midway following air raid alerts in the nearby cities of Jammu and Pathankot, triggering serious concerns over the continuation of the tournament amid escalating cross-border tensions.

Punjab Kings were cruising at 122 for 1 in 10.1 overs when the match came to an abrupt halt after a sudden power outage, initially believed to be due to floodlight failure. The game had already been delayed by rain, and shortly after resumption, the entire hill town was plunged into darkness.

Security concerns quickly took precedence as both teams, along with spectators, were evacuated from the stadium as a precautionary measure.

Amid the unfolding situation, a cheerleader shared a video on social media describing the atmosphere as “very scary,” capturing the anxiety that gripped the venue.

As panic grips Indian Premier League (IPL) teams, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) could well be left with no option but to halt the ongoing edition of the tournament. The match between Delhi Capitals (DC) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Dharamsala was halted midway today (May 8) due to the rising tension between India and Pakistan, and, at the time of writing, both teams were safely in the team hotel.

The entire contingent in Dharamsala will be leaving via a special train tomorrow (Friday, May 9) and the Indian cricket board is right now in a huddle to decide the future course of action. An emergent meeting of the IPL Governing Council is underway at the moment. None of the existing IPL venues have been under any kind of threat as of now. However, the BCCI may have to keep the larger sentiment of the nation in mind and halting the tournament, even if temporarily.

It is further understood that overseas players of most franchises are in a state of panic and they would need some serious assurances from the BCCI and the Indian government to stay back in the country for the tournament. As of now, there is no clarity over the game in Lucknow tomorrow (between Lucknow Super Giants and Royal Challengers Bengaluru).

The Indian cricket board will proceed further based on the directive they get from the Indian government, and all teams will act as per the guidelines they receive. The Gujarat Titans have already reached Delhi for their game against DC on May 11, and Mumbai Indians will be landing in Ahmedabad tonight for their rescheduled fixture in the afternoon of the same day.

The players of both DC and PBKS have been uneasy ever since the cross-border tensions escalated this week as they reached Dharamsala before the closure of airports was announced. At this moment, arrangements are being put in place to ensure all players, support staff and members of the broadcast crew are evacuated safely from Dharamsala.

Squads:

LSG: Nicholas Pooran, Ravi Bishnoi, Mayank Yadav, Ayush Badoni, Rishabh Pant (c & wk), David Miller, Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Avesh Khan, Abdul Samad, Aryan Juyal, Akash Deep, Himmat Singh, Manimaran Siddharth, Digvesh Singh, Shahbaz Ahmed, Akash Singh, Shamar Joseph, Prince Yadav, Yuvraj Chaudhary, RS Hangargekar, Arshin Kulkarni, Matthew Breetzke, Mohsin Khan.

RCB: Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar (c), Swastik Chikara, Mayank Agarwal, Jitesh Sharma, Philip Salt, Manoj Bhandage, Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Liam Livingstone, Romario Shepherd, Jacob Bethell, Swapnil Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Nuwan Thushara, Lungi Ngidi, Yash Dayal, Rasikh Dar Salam, Suyash Sharma, Mohit Rathee, Abhinandan Singh.

On the bowling front, LSG have also been inconsistent. Pace prodigy Mayank Yadav has struggled for rhythm since returning from injury, while lapses in fielding and catching have cost the team dearly.

RCB, in contrast, are enjoying one of their most disciplined and effective campaigns. Virat Kohli continues to lead the batting charts with unrelenting consistency, registering seven fifties in 11 innings. His assured starts have allowed Rajat Patidar and Romario Shepherd to flourish in the death overs.

RCB have also bolstered their squad with the inclusion of Mayank Agarwal, who replaces the injured Devdutt Padikkal — a player who had been impressive before being sidelined.

The bowling unit, spearheaded by Josh Hazlewood and Yash Dayal, has delivered in crunch situations, while spinners Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma have kept opposition batters in check.

With form, balance, and momentum on their side, RCB look the more formidable unit. LSG, however, will need to summon something extraordinary to derail Bengaluru’s playoff march.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru will look to seal a playoff spot, while Lucknow Super Giants are desperate to keep their campaign alive when the two sides face off in the IPL on Friday.

With the pressure mounting, LSG captain Rishabh Pant finds himself under scrutiny — not just for his leadership but also for his lean patch with the bat, which has coincided with the team’s late-season slump. LSG have dropped four of their last five matches and now face a must-win scenario in their remaining three games to reach 16 points. In contrast, RCB are riding a wave of momentum, having won five of their last six matches, and a tally of 18 points remains well within reach.

Pant, the highest-paid player from the latest auction, has had a disappointing season. Despite experimenting with his batting position, he has failed to find rhythm, managing a strike rate of just 99.92 — a clear indicator of his struggles.

LSG’s overdependence on their top order — Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, and Nicholas Pooran — has been evident, and that narrative must shift if they are to stage a turnaround.

“The dream is still alive. If we can win our next three matches, we can definitely turn it around. But we can’t always expect the top order to fire,” Pant said after their defeat to Punjab Kings in Dharamsala.

Hello and welcome!

The IPL match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals here on Thursday was cancelled midway following air raid alerts in neighbouring cities of Jammu and Pathankot, putting the entire league at risk of being called off due to India's ongoing military conflict with Pakistan. The Punjab side was 122 for 1 in 10.1 overs when the lights went out which at first was attributed to floodlight failure. The game started later than scheduled due to rain before the hill town went dark due to .

The teams and the spectators were eventually evacuated from the stadium for their security. The capacity of the picturesque ground here is approximately 23,000 and it was packed to about 80 per cent of it at the time of evacuation.

Prabhsimran Singh was batting at 50 off 28 balls while his opening partner Priyansh Arya made 70 off 34 balls before getting dismissed by pacer T Natarajan before proceedings came to a halt as floodlights went out.

With the cancellation of tonight's match, it is not clear whether the league will proceed any further and it is learnt that a BCCI meeting is currently in progress amid security concerns raised by the participating foreign players.

India launched missile attacks on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir a fortnight after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed.

On Thursday, a blackout was enforced in several districts including Pathankot, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Mohali in Punjab and Union Territory Chandigarh amid air raid alarms and reports of explosion-like sounds in Jammu.