The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is on high alert as escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, following the Pahalgam terror attack and India’s military response, Operation Sindoor, threaten to disrupt the ongoing Indian Premier League 2025 (IPL 2025).
The urgency of the situation was evident in Thursday’s abrupt cancellation of the match between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Delhi Capitals (DC) in Dharamsala. Sources revealed that the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association, acting on instructions from a senior cricket official, halted the game following air raid alerts in nearby cities like Pathankot and Jammu.
To mask the true reason, the stadium’s light towers were switched off, plunging the ground into partial darkness as the PBKS versus DC match got cancelled. IPL chairperson Arun Dhumal was seen near the boundary, urging spectators to evacuate swiftly. Players, some still in their pads, were rushed to their team buses and escorted to their hotel amid confusion.
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BCCI Monitoring the Situation, Says Rajiv Shukla
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is awaiting government guidance and plans to announce a final decision on the tournament’s fate, with contingency plans in motion to address the volatile situation.
BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla told The Indian Express,
"We are monitoring the situation, seeking the Government’s advice, and will take the final decision on the IPL tomorrow. The situation is changing day by day. We will do whatever we are told and inform all stakeholders. At the moment, our priority is the safety of all players, fans and stakeholders.”
With airports in Dharamsala, Kangra, and Chandigarh closed as a precaution against potential Pakistani threats, the BCCI has arranged for players and support staff to travel by road to Pathankot, 85 km away, and then board a special train to Delhi. Shukla emphasised the board’s efforts, stating,
"We are trying to see if we can get the teams to Delhi by train. The BCCI is trying its best to ensure everyone is safe."
A player, speaking anonymously to The Indian Express, described the chaos.
"We were told about attacks in nearby Pathankot. We are asked to go back to the hotel immediately. There was some panic… Delhi Capitals were seated in the Punjab team bus and vice-versa. We wanted to go out but there was a huge crowd. The foreign players were worried, with many of them wanting to return home," a player said as quoted.
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BCCI Exploring Options
The BCCI is exploring alternatives, including pausing the league or changing the itinerary. The tournament could be shifted to a neutral location like South Africa, as done previously.
Adding to the tension, the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, slated to host an IPL match next week, received a bomb threat via email earlier on Thursday. DCP South Jaipur City, Balaram, confirmed to The Indian Express that an FIR has been lodged, and police are investigating the email’s source.
