The IPL 2025 fixture between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala was called off after 10.1 overs amid escalating tensions on the India-Pakistan border. Just past the midway point of the first innings, at 21:29 IST, three light towers at the stadium went off, forcing a stoppage in play and then subsequently forcing the players off the field.
According to an official BCCI statement, the abandonment was due to a “significant technical failure” at the HPCA Stadium. “Due to a power outage in the area, one of the light towers at the HPCA stadium malfunctioned. BCCI regrets the inconvenience caused to in-stadium attendees,” the board’s release stated.
Both teams and spectators were evacuated from the HPCA Stadium. At the time of first report, Cricbuzz has learnt that the players and coaches had safely boarded buses to the team hotel, shortly after their families had been ferried out around 10 minutes earlier.
It is understood that the HPCA was asked by the Himachal Pradesh state government to order the evacuation as a precautionary measure. According to sources at the venue, there was no announcement over the PA system but the local police and the venue operations team requested for a slow evacuation of the stadium. “There is no rush or panic… the cops came and asked everyone to move slowly towards the exits,” a team source at the venue told Cricbuzz.
The development followed news reports of military escalation in Jammu, about 200 kilometres away from Dharamsala.
It is understands that BCCI officials were huddled in a meeting late into the night. Details are awaited on whether there’ll be any impact on the league’s overall conduct. It is also learnt that the BCCI will organise a special train for everyone involved in the IPL at Dharamsala – players, families, broadcasters, crew – to Delhi.
Speaking to news agencies, IPL chairman Arun Dhumal said all future course of action, including a decision on Friday’s LSG vs RCB game in Lucknow will be taken after discussion with the government. “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,” he told PTI.
“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.”
Thursday’s abandoned game was the last of the two scheduled to be played in Punjab Kings’ second home of Dharamsala with the May 11 fixture against Mumbai Indians already moved to Ahmedabad earlier in the day. A spell of rain had delayed the toss to 8:15 PM IST and the start to 8:30 PM, though no overs were lost. PBKS, who had opted to bat, had raced to 122 for 1 courtesy quickfire half-centuries from Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya before the game was called off.
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