The 2025 Indian Premier League took an unexpected turn on Thursday as the high-profile clash between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala was abruptly halted due to rising India-Pakistan border tensions.
The match, which was underway at the HPCA Stadium, was called off after just 10.1 overs citing heightened security threats and regional airport closures. In a swift and coordinated effort, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), with support from Indian Railways, arranged a special Vande Bharat train to evacuate players, staff, commentators, and the broadcast crew. The teams were first transported 85 km by road to Pathankot, from where they boarded the train to New Delhi late Thursday night. BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla said, “With rising threat levels and airports shut across the region, we are organising a special train from close to Dharamsala to bring everybody home safely. Players’ safety is our utmost priority.”
The cricket board publicly expressed its gratitude, posting a video on social media thanking Indian Railways. “Thank you, @RailMinIndia, for arranging a special Vande Bharat train on such short notice… We deeply appreciate your swift response,” the statement read. Delhi Capitals spinner Kuldeep Yadav added in the video, “Jis tarah se manage kiya, woh bahut achcha tha. I want to say thank you to BCCI and Indian Railways.” While the Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals game was the only fixture directly impacted, the incident has raised broader questions about venue security and scheduling during geopolitical escalations. No injuries were reported, and all personnel are confirmed to have reached New Delhi safely.
The IPL Governing Council is expected to issue updated guidelines for upcoming matches, with alternative arrangements being considered for teams scheduled to play in northern states over the next week.
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