Watch: Special train evacuates Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings players from Dharamsala
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has expressed gratitude for arranging a special train on May 8 to evacuate the personnel involved in the Indian Premier League 2025 match between the Punjab Kings and the Delhi Capitals. The game between the sides has been called off midway due to a blackout.
The teams, along with the players, support staff, commentators, and production crew, were transported to New Delhi on May 9. The game between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals at Dharamsala being called-off around 9.35 pm Thursday, following a blackout and air raid alerts in neighbouring towns, including Pathankot just 90 km from the stadium.
Sources said the decision to stop the Dharamsala game was taken by the hosts Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association following a phone call from a top cricket official. Following the communication, the light towers went off and the ground went partially dark. Soon, the spectators were asked to head towards the exit.
Thank you, @RailMinIndia, for arranging a special Vande Bharat train on such short notice to ferry the players, support staff, commentators, production crew members, and operations staff to New Delhi.
We deeply appreciate your swift response. 🙌🏽@AshwiniVaishnaw | @JayShah |… pic.twitter.com/tUwzc5nGWD
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 9, 2025
IPL chairperson Arun Dhumal was seen walking along the boundary, gesturing to the fans to leave the stadium. The players from both teams were asked to board their buses and head to the team hotel. The evacuation was so swift that many of the players reached the hotel with their pads still on.
In the wake of tensions at the border following aerial attacks by Pakistan Thursday night, the BCCI has suspended the IPL for a week with immediate effect. “Further updates regarding the new schedule and venues of the tournament will be announced in due course after a comprehensive assessment of the situation in consultation with relevant authorities and stakeholders,” BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said in a statement Friday.
Although the decision was formally made public only around 2.40 pm Friday, the franchises were informed of the decision earlier in the day to help the swift movement of players and support staff. While most of the Indian players had already left for their homes, the overseas contingent was scheduled to depart later in the evening.
