Why Was IPL Match At Dharamsala Called Off?
The IPL match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala on Thursday was cancelled midway following air raid alerts in neighbouring cities of Jammu and Pathankot.
The IPL 2025 match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals at HPCA in Dharamsala on Thursday (May 6) was cancelled after 10.1 overs of play in the first half following air raid alerts in neighbouring cities of Jammu and Pathankot, which has now also put the entire league at risk of being called off.
The Mohali-based franchise was cruising at 122 for the loss of one wicket in 10.1 overs when the lights went out, which at first was attributed to floodlight failure.
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The teams and the assembled fans at the 23,000-capacity stadium in Dharamsala were eventually evacuated from the stadium for their security.
“There was no panic from the spectators. They (spectators and players) were moved out of the stadium very carefully and safely," a Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association source was quoted as saying by PTI.
Several people raised anti-Pakistan slogans while on their way out of the stadium. Prabhsimran Singh was batting at 50 off 28 balls while his opening partner Priyansh Arya made 70 off 34 balls before getting dismissed by pacer T. Natarajan when proceedings came to a halt.
The players and support staff of both the teams will now be brought to Delhi aboard a special train from Pathankot, which is about 85km from Dharamsala. The teams will reach Pathankot by road.
Dharamsala’s lone airport and the ones in neighbouring Kangra and Chandigarh are closed for operation right now as part of precautionary measures to thwart Pakistani attacks.
With the cancellation of tonight’s match, it is not clear whether the league will proceed any further, and it is learnt that a BCCI meeting is currently in progress amid security concerns raised by the participating foreign players.
Sources say the foreign recruits want to head home at the earliest.
Friday match ‘on as of now’
According to IPL chairman Arun Singh Dhumal, Friday’s IPL 2025 match LSG and RCB at Ekana Stadium in Lucknow is ‘on as of now’.
“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," Dhumal told PTI.
Asked about Friday’s game in Lucknow, he said: “Yes it is on as of now but obviously it is an evolving situation and any decision will be taken keeping the best interest of all stakeholders in mind."
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