The IPL match between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Delhi Capitals (DC) was called off midway due to a security threat after 10.1 overs of Punjab's innings.
The match, which had seen a promising 122-run opening partnership between Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh, was interrupted when one of the floodlights went off, followed by a chain of lighting failures across the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala.
The incident coincided with reports of attempted drone attacks near Chandigarh, triggering an emergency response.
Soon, the crowd began to evacuate the stadium under security orders. The BCCI made the decision to abandon the match, and later, the IPL was suspended for one week.
Arun Dhumal Opens Up on Evacuation Management
In an exclusive interview with , IPL Chair Arun Dhumal shared his experience of overseeing the evacuation process. He explained the importance of ensuring the spectators' safety without causing panic.
"When the announcement was made about the floodlights going off, people didn’t want to leave. We had to ensure that the evacuation happened smoothly, without pressing the panic button. We couldn’t afford a stampede," he said.
Dhumal praised the role of local police and the authorities in facilitating a smooth evacuation.
“The entire operation wouldn’t have been possible without the help of the local authorities. They did a brilliant job,” he added.
Dhumal recalled how the 2021 season was interrupted by COVID-19 and how IPL 2025 was different from that.
"We had a big challenge during the COVID season when the tournament was halted midway, but this was different. We had to stop a live match because of security concerns.”
Dhumal said that he had to ensure that the players were safe during the first floodlight failure.
"I quickly informed the team management about the situation and told them to ensure that the players stayed calm. It was crucial to ensure that not just the players, but also the crew and other staff, were evacuated safely.”
Following the incident, the BCCI announced a of the IPL. Gujarat Titans currently top the points table, while Chennai Super Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Rajasthan Royals have already been knocked out.
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