Amid rising military tensions between India and Pakistan, Indian pacer Umran Malik, currently part of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) setup, has been advised by his family to remain in Hyderabad for his safety. The 25-year-old speedster from Jammu and Kashmir is not actively playing in IPL 2025 due to injury, but has been travelling with the KKR squad as part of his rehabilitation program. As conflict escalates along the northwestern borders, Umran’s family urged him not to return home, especially with reports of shelling in areas like Poonch and Rajouri.
The Indian Premier League 2025 season was officially suspended for a week after India reportedly struck terror hotspots in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). With the geopolitical climate deteriorating rapidly, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) took the precautionary step of halting the tournament to prioritise the safety of players and officials.
ALSO READ: BCCI Breaks Silence on Virat Kohli’s Test Retirement Call, Highlights His Dressing Room Impact
Consequently, several foreign cricketers have already begun departing India, awaiting clarity on the situation. Umran had traveled with KKR to Hyderabad for a match against his former team, Sunrisers Hyderabad, at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. While he wasn’t in the playing XI, his inclusion in the squad as part of a “return to cricket” program reflects KKR’s interest in managing his comeback strategically.
🚨📰| According to AajKaal, Umran Malik is the only Indian player who has stayed back in Hyderabad after the suspension of IPL. His family in Jammu has advised him not to return home for the time being. pic.twitter.com/qmk1RL7VFT
— KnightRidersXtra (@KKR_Xtra) May 10, 2025
Bought for ₹75 lakh in the 2025 IPL mega auction, Umran hasn’t featured this season due to a prolonged injury layoff. The fast bowler first rose to prominence in 2021 when he debuted for SRH, stunning fans and experts alike with his raw pace. His breakthrough season came in 2022, claiming 22 wickets in 14 games, which catapulted him into the Indian national setup.
However, his career has since experienced a downturn. In IPL 2024, he was part of the runner-up SRH squad but featured in only one game throughout the season. The suspension of IPL 2025 comes with just 12 league games left before the playoffs.
ALSO READ: BCCI Plans Revised IPL 2025 Venues Amid Rising Tensions and Scheduling Concerns
The match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala was called off after just 10.1 overs due to rising security concerns. With 58 matches already completed, the BCCI is now expected to revisit venues, assess security logistics, and announce a revised schedule once conditions stabilize. For now, the safety of players, especially those from sensitive regions like Umran Malik’s—is the governing body’s foremost concern.
