The PBKS versus DC clash in Dharamsala was called off midway due to India-Pakistan conflict at the border.
The IPL 2025 clash between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Delhi Capitals (DC) in Dharamsala was called off midway on May 8 after cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan escalated.
The game was halted after 10.1 overs, and the BCCI promptly arranged a special train to evacuate players, support staff members, commentators and broadcast crew from the region.
The turn of events triggered panic among the overseas players of all teams and majority of them flew back home over the weekend.
A ceasefire was announced on May 10, and hence, the organizers took the call to resume the cash-rich tournament on May 17. While most of the players retuned to join their respective franchises, a few of them decided against it.
Recently, Australian legend Matthew Hayden opened up about what the commentators went through when the IPL match was stopped in Dharamsala amidst India-Pakistan conflict.
“I’d flown from Mumbai overnight to Delhi because there wasn’t a connecting flight with Punjab’s home ground (for that game) Dharamsala. Magnificent ground. But by the time I landed in Delhi, there was no airport open,” said Hayden on the All Over Bar The Cricket podcast.
“It was at the time that coincided with the incursion of Pakistan back into India and we were talking drones navigating across the skies, taking out ground to air missiles and it was just eerie. We had to take a car via Chandigarh up to Dharamsala. That’s a 11 and a half, 12 hour drive. By the time we reached the venue we were told the game was about to proceed.”
The first signs of something unusual unfolding were the lights going off at the venue. Hayden revealed the commentators were told before the game that the lights going out will not be a technical issue.
“But half an hour before we went on air we were given a security message that if the light towers were to go out, it’s not a technical issue. It’s actually a sign that the venue has been compromised and there will be an emergency evacuation response and we will proceed,” he said.
“I was mid-sentence with my usual garbage on air and the first light tower goes out so I’ve let the spectators and fans know that it has gone out. Then the second goes almost immediately. Next minute security came in like a blanket. Dropped my mic literally mid-sentence and we were ushered out of the ground,” he further remarked.
Hayden mentioned that the IPL has been a “great survivor” given the numerous events it has managed to see through over the years.
“It’s been a great survivor and it’s lasted incredible events historically for India. It got moved in the second year to South Africa due to elections. We had Covid and it seemed to survive that we moved to Dubai over to the middle east,” the former Australian opener said.