The IPL match scheduled between the Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals on Thursday was canceled due to security concerns arising from air raid alerts in the vicinity, which resulted in a power outage in the hill town. At the time of the blackout, the Punjab team had scored 122 runs for 1 wicket in 10.1 overs, initially thought to be caused by a failure of the floodlights. Subsequently, IPL officials instructed the stadium personnel to evacuate the venue for safety reasons. Following the 10th over, Priyansh Arya was dismissed by T Natarajan, leading to Shreyas Iyer coming in to bat at the third position. However, the game was ultimately abandoned due to the floodlight failure. Earlier, PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer had won the toss and opted to bowl first against DC, although the toss itself was delayed because of rain. Additionally, two more light towers were turned off, prompting the crowd to exit the stadium. The IPL confirmed the match’s abandonment via their official X account. To facilitate the return of players and match officials from Dharamsala to Delhi, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) arranged a special train, with the nearest railway station being Una, where both teams and their support staff are expected to board. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia elaborated on the decision to cancel the match, stating, ‘The situation is not stable at the moment, and that is why we have cancelled today’s match—not just in Dharamsala, but also due to escalating tensions from the neighbouring country. The safety of players, spectators, and support staff is our top priority. We will do everything that is in the best interest of the nations involved. We are closely monitoring the situation and will make further decisions accordingly.’
