Due to growing tensions along the India-Pakistan border, the IPL 2025 match between the Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala was canceled after 10.1 overs. Three light towers at the stadium went out at 21:29 IST, just over the halfway point of the first innings, stopping play and forcing the players off the field.
An official BCCI statement said that a “significant technical failure” at the HPCA Stadium was the reason for the cancellation. “One of the light towers at the HPCA stadium failed because of a local power outage. According to the board’s release, “BCCI regrets the inconvenience caused to in-stadium attendees.”
The HPCA Stadium was cleared of both teams and fans. The players and coaches had safely boarded buses to the team hotel at the time of the initial report, according to Cricbuzz. This was about ten minutes after their families had been transported away.
As a precaution, the state government of Himachal Pradesh reportedly requested that the HPCA order the evacuation. Sources in the stadium claim that although there was no announcement over the public address system, the venue operations crew and local police asked for a gradual stadium evacuation. A team source at the location informed Cricbuzz, “There is no rush or panic… the cops came and asked everyone to move slowly towards the exits.”
The development followed news reports of military escalation in Jammu, about 200 kilometres away from Dharamsala.
Cricbuzz is aware that late into the night, BCCI officials were gathered in a meeting. Information regarding any potential effects on the league’s general behavior is still pending. Additionally, it has been learned that the BCCI would arrange a special train to Delhi for all IPL participants, including players, families, broadcasters, and crew, from Dharamsala.
IPL chairman Arun Dhumal told news outlets that all future decisions, including one regarding Friday’s match between LSG and RCB in Lucknow, will be made following consultation with the government. “At the moment, we are assessing the issue. The scenario is changing. The government has not given us any directives. Naturally, all the logistics will be taken into consideration before making the choice,” 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.”
With the May 11 match against the Mumbai Indians already shifted to Ahmedabad earlier in the day, Thursday’s postponed game was the final of two that were supposed to take place in Punjab Kings’ second home of Dharamsala. Although no overs were lost, a rainstorm postponed the start to 8:30 PM and the toss to 8:15 PM IST. Before the game was canceled, PBKS, who had chosen to bat, had sped to 122 for 1 thanks to fast half-centuries from Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya.
Cricket Australia claims to be keeping an eye on the matter
In a statement on Friday, CA said: “We continue to closely monitor the situation in Pakistan and India, including obtaining regular advice and updates from the Australian Government, the PCB, BCCI and local government authorities, and maintaining communication with our players and support staff currently in the region.”
