Dharamshala: Questions are mounting over why Thursday’s (May 8, 2025) IPL match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) stadium in Dharamshala was allowed to begin despite heightened security alerts nationwide.
Panic broke out mid-game during the IPL match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals when floodlights were abruptly turned off and spectators were asked to leave. Around 24,000 fans were in the stadium at the time.
Kangra Superintendent of Police Shalini Agnihotri and her team were quick to respond, arriving at the scene and managing the anxious crowd with calm.
Their swift action helped prevent chaos as people began rushing for the exits following the announcement that the match had been cancelled, said a spectator.
Match halted midway, organisers cited ‘technical issues’
The match had progressed through 10 overs when suddenly two of the stadium’s floodlights went dark. Confusion turned to alarm as announcements instructed spectators to vacate the stadium.
While the IPL management attributed the disruption to “technical reasons”, officials on-site confirmed that the evacuation was prompted by credible security alerts amid the heightened India-Pakistan tensions.
Sources suggested that security protocols were triggered midway during the IPL match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals after intelligence inputs indicated potential threats.
Although no official confirmation was provided, the evacuation appeared to be precautionary, occurring while the nation remains on high alert following the Indian military’s ongoing ‘Operation Sindoor’ against terror infrastructure across the border.
Public outcry over poor judgment
The abrupt suspension has triggered nationwide backlash against the IPL organisers. Critics are questioning why the match was allowed in the first place, considering the tense security situation.
Legal experts argue that both the local administration and the BCCI had ample grounds and authority under disaster management protocols to cancel the Dharamshala IPL match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals.
“Avoidable risk was taken with 24,000 lives. This was a failure to prioritise public safety over entertainment,” said a former IPS officer.
S Gopal Puri
