Foreign Players Depart IPL Amid Tensions at India-Pakistan Border

IPL Suspended as Foreign Players Return Home

On Saturday, numerous international players associated with IPL teams began their journey back to their home countries following the suspension of the high-profile T20 league, which was paused for a week due to escalating tensions at the India-Pakistan border.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) was put on hold on Friday, just a day after the match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala was interrupted due to air raid warnings in nearby cities, including Jammu and Pathankot.

With the tournament now on hold, players and support staff from various franchises have started heading back to their hometowns, with many foreign athletes making their way home.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) confirmed in a statement, "Our players and extended staff have safely returned to Bengaluru and are now heading to their respective cities and countries."

RCB's international roster features players such as Tim David, Liam Livingstone, Jacob Bethell, Romario Shepherd, Philip Salt, Josh Hazlewood, Lungi Ngidi, and Nuwan Thushara.

The overseas support team includes head coach Andy Flower, bowling coach Adam Griffith, Director of Cricket Operations Mo Bobat, team physiotherapist Evan Speechly, and analyst Freddie Wilde.

The RCB statement expressed gratitude for the prompt coordination and assistance from the BCCI, local authorities, and police that facilitated this process.

An official from Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) also confirmed that some of their international players departed on Saturday, while others chose to remain for the time being.

Other franchises, including Mumbai Indians (MI) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), have seen both domestic and international players leave for their respective destinations.

Sources indicated that KKR players departed from Hyderabad, where they were set to compete against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Saturday.

Following the cancellation of the IPL match in Dharamsala, players from Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals were evacuated to New Delhi on Friday, escorted to the Jalandhar railway station in groups under tight security.

The teams traveled to New Delhi aboard a special 'Vande Bharat Express'.

A source from Punjab Kings noted that most of their foreign players have already returned home.

In the meantime, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia stated that updates regarding the revised schedule and venues for the remaining matches will be provided after a thorough evaluation of the situation in consultation with relevant authorities and stakeholders.

The IPL's suspension follows India's missile strikes targeting terrorist infrastructure across the border in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, executed in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that resulted in 26 fatalities.