Aussie cricket stars caught up in middle of India-Pakistan conflict as IPL postponed

Several Australian cricket stars are searching for ways to get home as tensions between India and Pakistan rise, causing the IPL to go into damage control.

Australian cricket stars are desperately trying to rush home as a rising conflict between India and Pakistan has not only led to the suspension of the Indian Premier League (IPL) but has left players on the ground fearing for their safety.

Indian board chiefs reportedly met on Friday and chose to “indefinitely postpone” the world’s largest and most lucrative tournament as tensions between Pakistan and India reach an highest following a terrorist attack in Kashmir

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The IPL’s decision comes after a match between Delhi and Punjab was cancelled on Thursday night due to a blackout stemming from air raid warnings in nearby Jammu and Pathankot.

And now several of the world’s biggest cricket stars are looking to exit the country as soon as possible, while others remain, waiting for further clarification from the BCCI about what will happen with this year’s IPL.

Aussies Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head and Mitch Marsh, Josh Inglis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Marcus Stoinis, Aaron Hardie, Xavier Bartlett and Mitch Owen have all been involved in this year’s IPL and are reportedly all not waiting around. While Australian coaches Brad Haddin and Ricky Ponting are also currently in the middle of the bubbling situation and are set to return home.

Australian women’s cricket captain and Starc’s wife Alyssa Healy is also in India for the tournament.

It’s understood the overwhelming majority of Australian officials and players have already booked flights home.

Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins are currently playing in the IPL. Image: Getty

IPL situation escalates as tournament plunged into chaos

While the $16 billion IPL has been postponed, organisers will now have to weigh up if there is an alternative location where it can be held or if it needs to be scrapped together.

But regardless, serious questions must be asked as to why BBCI attempted to complete the match between the Kings and Capitals on Thursday night in Dharamsala, despite it being so close to the Pakistan-India border.

In the end, the match was dramatically abandoned due to claims of a power failure as the floodlights went off.

You can see the frightening footage in the player at the top of the page.

Spectators leave the stands after authorities evacuated the stadium during the 2025 IPL match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala, India. (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)

However, there are suspicions that the lights were more likely cut due to safety concerns for players and fans.

Regardless the danger of the situation was clear by how quickly fans and players were ushered out of the stadium.

And now the richest T20 tournament is in limbo.

“We are reviewing the situation right now. It is an evolving situation. We haven’t received any directive from the government. Obviously, the decision will be taken keeping all the logistics in mind,” IPL’s chief Arun Dhumal told PTI after the abandonment.

“It is an evolving situation and any decision will be taken keeping the best interest of all stakeholders in mind.”

Despite talks of the IPL being moved to a different location, it is understood that Australian players are more focused on getting home and will regroup and reassess once back on Australian soil.