As tensions at the India-Pakistan borders increased, IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal has finally acknowledged that the venue’s technological malfunction was a wise move to avoid widespread panic and guarantee a seamless departure for stadium patrons. The match between the Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 was called off in the middle of play because of what appeared to be a floodlight malfunction. The competition has already been put on hold for a week.
After just 10.1 overs, the game was abruptly called off in front of over 24,000 spectators. With 122 runs in 10 overs, Punjab openers Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya had gotten off to a strong start. However, two of the four floodlight towers went out just as Captain Shreyas Iyer was about to leave. What appeared to be a technological error at first was actually an IPL and BCCI decision.
Authorities chose to call off the match and put audience safety first because of the heightened security alerts caused by the missile action near Pathankot and Jammu.
Arun Dhumal disclosed that the choice to control the tense situation by avoiding overt allusions to the actual security threat—which might have caused panic among the crowd—was decided tactically on the spot.
“As you are aware, the situation significantly worsened yesterday, despite the fact that preparations were well underway. We believed that the public shouldn’t worry because there had been reports of activities close to Pathankot and Jammu. Because of this, the decision to announce the failure of the floodlights was made with public safety in mind, and the gathering was safely evacuated. We came to this conclusion because we didn’t want to create a circumstance that would induce terror.
The next decision won’t be made till the players and match officials have departed via roads and are headed to New Delhi. Since the competition has been halted for a week, as everyone is aware, a decision can only be made after considering all of the events that have occurred during that time. He told Lokmat Times Nagpur, “Therefore, we will have to wait for the decision.”
BCCI has complete faith in our military: Devajit Saikia
Fans were assisted in leaving peacefully by the prompt response of local authorities. With 16 games, including playoffs, left in the IPL 2025 season, the BCCI declared a temporary one-week suspension the day following the game. Following a high-level discussion between Dhumal and BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, the decision was made.
“Further updates regarding the new schedule and venues of the tournament will be announced in due course after a comprehensive assessment of the situation in consultation with relevant authorities and stakeholders,” Saikia stated in a press release.
“The decision was taken by the IPL Governing Council after due consultation with all key stakeholders following the representations from most of the franchisees, who conveyed the concern and sentiments of their players, and also the views of the broadcaster, sponsors and fans; while the BCCI reposes full faith in the strength and preparedness of our armed forces, the Board considered it prudent to act in the collective interest of all stakeholders,” he stated.
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