IPL 2025: Players to pay tribute to victims of Pahalgam terror attack during SRH vs MI match

In the wake of the devastating terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam region, the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 will take a moment to pause and reflect. During the upcoming Match 41 between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Mumbai Indians (MI), scheduled for April 23 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, a one-minute silence will be observed in memory of the victims.

On April 22, the nation was rocked by the tragic news that 28 civilians, mostly tourists, lost their lives in a brutal act of terrorism. The incident has drawn widespread condemnation and mourning across India, prompting the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to make solemn changes to the IPL proceedings.

IPL 2025: Fireworks, music, and cheerleader performances suspended for SRH vs MI match

As a mark of respect, players and match officials will wear black armbands during the fixture. Additionally, all entertainment-related activities typically associated with IPL matches—such as fireworks, music, and cheerleader performances—will be suspended for the evening.

"Players and umpires to wear black armbands in today’s match. There will be one minute's silence before the start of the match, and there will be no cheerleaders today, also no fireworks," a BCCI official told The Tribune India.

The 7:30 PM IST game will begin with both teams and thousands of fans uniting in a moment of collective silence to honour those who lost their lives in the Pahalgam tragedy. It’s a rare instance in the high-energy tournament where sport takes a backseat to grief, and the cricketing world comes together in a powerful display of national solidarity.

This symbolic gesture is a reminder of the IPL’s influence beyond the field—a league not just about competition, but also about standing together in the face of national tragedies. As players from SRH and MI step onto the pitch, they’ll do so carrying the weight of a nation’s sorrow and the spirit of unity that binds its people together.