IPL Chairman Speaks Up on Possibility of T20 Tournament Being Cancelled Amid Rising Tensions

The IPL 2025 season faced a major setback when the match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals was abruptly stopped on Thursday. This happened due to air raid alerts in nearby cities like Jammu and Pathankot, raising serious concerns about the safety of players, staff, and spectators. The game, being conducted in Dharamsala, was terminated mid-way when the game was ongoing, making the fate of the tournament uncertain. The whole league is now at risk of being terminated if the matter worsens further.

IPL chairman Arun Dhumal spoke regarding the matter, saying that the league is keeping a close eye on the developing situation, which is still unfolding. He assured that no government orders had been given so far, but any decision would be taken with the security of all the people involved in consideration. He added that logistical issues would also be considered while making a decision about the fate of the tournament, as tensions between India and Pakistan have been high since a terror attack on April 22 in Pahalgam.

In the Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals match, play was halted when the floodlights broke down. The two teams were batting in trying conditions at Punjab Kings' 122 for 1 in 10.1 overs. The match was already delayed beyond schedule because of rain, but the actual stoppage was caused by a power failure. At first, the problem was attributed to a floodlight malfunction, but events quickly took a sinister turn. There were air raid sirens ringing out in areas around the stadium, prompting a mass evacuation from the stadium grounds. The government was not willing to take a chance on increased tensions in the area.

Both the players and the crowd of some 23,000 persons who had jammed 80 percent of seating capacity in the stadium were asked to evacuate the premises for safety reasons. Following the evacuation, players were taken to their hotel, where they were under heavy security. Until now, the hotel where teams are staying remains secure, and they are expecting further information from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). An official at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association confirmed there was no blackout at the hotel and that players were safe. The events at the stadium and in the surrounding suburbs have led to some tensions, as some people expressed their frustration through anti-Pakistan chants.

The game, which had witnessed some thrill moments with Prabhsimran Singh hitting 50 from 28 balls and Priyansh Arya hitting 70 from 34 balls, was also brought to a halt when the players were in the midst of an intriguing battle. But the most immediate concern was that everyone be safe, and so it was decided to suspend the match and clear the ground.

After the match was cancelled, the teams were being shifted to Delhi on a special train from Pathankot, which is around 85 kilometers from Dharamsala. Dharamsala's lone airport, as well as the airports in nearby Kangra and Chandigarh, have been shut as a precaution to prevent any possible threats.

With the match in Dharamsala cancelled, there is still speculation about whether the IPL will proceed. Dhumal, however, assured that the next match scheduled, Lucknow Super Giants vs Royal Challengers Bangalore in Lucknow, is not impacted at present. But he emphasized that the situation is unfolding fast, and any decision would be based on the changing scenario. It is evident that the IPL authorities are taking all precautionary measures and are determined to ensure the safety of all concerned.

There have also been reports that some of the overseas players are keen to go back home because of the growing security issues. The India-Pakistan tension has already made its impact felt on the IPL calendar. For instance, the Mumbai Indians vs Punjab Kings match, which was to be played in Dharamsala on May 11, has already been shifted to Ahmedabad.

The escalating political and military tensions within the region have brought about severe disruptions not only in daily life but also in the world of sports. A number of Punjab districts such as Pathankot, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, and Mohali, along with Chandigarh, were hit by power outages following air raid alerts and explosion reports in Jammu. Such occurrences have compelled the organizers of IPL to weigh the overall safety concerns for the rest of the season.

At this point, there isn't an easy way to say whether the tournament will proceed or be stopped, but they are leaving all possibilities open. For the moment, all parties involved in the tournament are optimistic that things will stabilize so that the league can proceed without interruption. Nevertheless, the security of the players and spectators will always come first, and choices will be made according to the situation at hand.