Dharamshala Airport Shut After Operation Sindoor; BCCI Arranges Special Train Amid IPL Uncertainty

Following heightened tensions due to Operation Sindoor, the Dharamshala Airport has been shut down, prompting further disruption in the Indian Premier League (IPL). In a rare and concerning development, today’s match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals was abandoned mid-way after a sudden blackout caused by multiple floodlight failures at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala.

In response to the deteriorating situation, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced that a special train will be arranged tomorrow via the Vande Bharat Express to evacuate players, support staff, and broadcast crew from Himachal Pradesh. With the city’s only airport now closed and Chandigarh Airport also shut down as a precautionary measure, the only feasible route is by road to the nearest major railway station, Una.

Players from both teams have returned to their hotels under tight security and are reportedly shaken by the incident. According to initial accounts, Punjab was batting when the first floodlight tower shut down at 10.1 overs. Shortly afterward, two more towers went dark, creating panic among spectators and forcing the evacuation of the stadium.

BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla stated:
"We are arranging a special train from Una station to ensure the safe transit of all involved. At present, the match has been called off, and the stadium has been cleared. Tomorrow, we will assess the situation and decide on the future of the tournament. Our foremost priority remains the safety and security of the players."

The IPL management is reportedly in discussions about the possibility of suspending or cancelling the remainder of the tournament if the security situation escalates. While no final decision has been taken, today’s abandonment marks one of the most unprecedented interruptions in IPL history.