IPL 2025-Team Travels in Dharamsala Remain Uncertain as Military Escalation Approaches

The IPL 2025 schedule scheduled to be held in Dharamsala has been shrouded in uncertainty since an India military operation named Operation Sindoor was initiated there. The tourist spot and one of the popular cricket pitches for a pretty long time now is set to conduct two key matches shortly. But all that has suffered at the cost of the ongoing military operation. Plans to travel are being impacted and teams and officials are also concerned.

Operation Sindoor was launched after a terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, took the lives of 26 innocent citizens, including tourists. India reacted by launching precision missile strikes against terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir. Airspaces in northern India have been put on high alert as a precautionary measure, and 18 airports, including Dharamsala, Chandigarh, Amritsar, Jammu, and Srinagar, have been temporarily shut down.

Dharamsala leg of IPL 2025, Punjab Kings' second home ground, is to host two league-stage games. The initial match, Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals, will be played on May 9, and the second, Punjab Kings vs Mumbai Indians, will be played on May 11. Punjab Kings, who are already based out of Dharamsala, have no direct travel concerns. But the touring sides, their support staff, broadcasters, and production teams are now suffering immensely due to airspace restrictions.

A senior BCCI official, speaking on conditions of anonymity, said the situation is highly uncertain. Negotiations are underway, and alternative means like road travel are being looked into, although they have their own problems. Delhi Capitals, who are playing in Dharamsala and then returning home to their own ground for a Sunday game, are hit the hardest. Mumbai Indians, who will be traveling to Dharamsala on May 11, are also yet to get an update on if the match will be played as per plan.

The disruption is not just in terms of the movement of the players. Broadcasting teams, equipment, and other support staff find it difficult to commute through the hilly region without aerial connectivity. The BCCI is in close consultation with local authorities in an attempt to explore feasible alternatives. Chandigarh airport usually acts as a fall-back aerial link for Dharamsala, but with it shut down now, road travel is the prime alternative. Traveling through this way involves passing through hill road from cities such as Pathankot, thus making the trip quite daunting given that the BCCI has no time with its compressed IPL schedule.

As things take shape, the teams remain in constant touch with both the center and state governments. No word has been received so far from the officials regarding postponement or rescheduling of the matches. Meanwhile, the fans and teams are left waiting, and the focus remains on finding a balance between security concerns and the teams' logistical needs for hosting IPL matches. The decision is likely to be subject to clearance by defence agencies, prioritizing everyone's safety at the top of the agenda.