IPL Resumes with Respectful Gesture Following Kashmir Attack

BCCI's Condolences and IPL's Respectful Approach

In the wake of the tragic incident in Kashmir's Pahalgam Valley, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) expressed its condolences. During the match between Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers Hyderabad, players donned black armbands as a mark of respect. Additionally, the atmosphere was subdued, with no DJ music or cheerleaders present. As the IPL returns after a week-long hiatus, this respectful approach is expected to continue throughout the tournament.

According to a recent report, the IPL will refrain from playing DJ music or featuring cheerleaders when it resumes on Saturday, May 17. This decision aims to honor the victims and martyrs amid ongoing tensions. Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar, in an interview, emphasized the importance of continuing the tournament without the usual glamour, stating,

"Let the games be played. Let the crowds come in. Let's just have the tournament - the balance of the tournament. Just no dancing girls, nothing. Just cricket would be a really nice way to respect the sentiment of the families who have lost their near and dear ones."

Resumption of IPL After Tensions

The IPL faced a pause on May 8 when the match between Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings was canceled due to escalating tensions following attacks on Indian civil bases. However, on May 12, the BCCI announced the schedule for the remainder of the league.

The IPL 2025 season is set to kick off again this Saturday, featuring a match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Kolkata Knight Riders at M Chinnaswamy Stadium. The remaining matches will take place across six venues: Delhi, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Lucknow. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed that details regarding the play-offs and final venues will be disclosed later. The league phase is expected to conclude on May 27, with play-offs starting on May 29. The final has been rescheduled to June 3, raising concerns about the availability of overseas players for the knockout stages.