In a move that has raised eyebrows across the country, the high-stakes IPL match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium in Dharamshala was called off midway on Thursday evening, allegedly due to “security concerns.” The decision comes at a time when India is asserting itself militarily against cross-border terrorism through ‘Operation Sindoor’.
According to sources, the match was called off after players were escorted off the field and sections of the stadium were darkened, allegedly due to safety protocols being activated in response to credible security alerts. The administration has so far not disclosed any specific threat but confirmed the match would not resume.
While national sentiment remains firmly behind the Indian Armed Forces—who have reportedly neutralized multiple terror hideouts in Pakistan’s Bahawalpur and surrounding regions—public anger has turned toward local authorities and event organizers for allowing the match to proceed despite heightened national alert levels.
Legal and civil experts point out that under the Disaster Management Act and public safety regulations, the District Administration and concerned sports bodies had both the authority and responsibility to assess risk and, if needed, cancel or relocate the match in advance.
“This is not just a lapse in event management; it is a glaring failure of administrative foresight. Holding a mass gathering in a sensitive zone, when national tensions were escalating, reflects poor coordination between civil, police, and intelligence agencies,” said a former senior IPS officer familiar with stadium security protocol.
The issue has taken on a patriotic hue, as videos and posts from across the border—particularly Pakistani social media—mock the disruption as a symbolic victory. In stark contrast, Indian citizens and ex-servicemen online are lauding the bravery of Indian forces and questioning why administrative preparedness did not match the spirit and seriousness of the Armed Forces.
Critics argue that the abrupt abandonment not only embarrassed the country on the international sporting stage but also put spectators and players at potential risk.
As the BCCI shifts remaining fixtures from Dharamshala to other venues, there are increasing demands for accountability from local organizers and a review of protocol to ensure that national pride and public safety are never compromised again.
S Gopal Puri
