In a candid account of the tense moments at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala, IPL chairman Arun Dhumal shed light on the evacuation process that followed the abrupt suspension of the match between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Delhi Capitals (DC). The game was called off after just 10.1 overs into Punjab’s innings due to heightened security threats, including an attempted drone strike by Pakistan near Chandigarh.
The match had started with fireworks as PBKS openers Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh stitched a rapid 122-run stand, electrifying the crowd. However, the atmosphere took a dramatic turn when a floodlight suddenly failed, followed by additional lights going out. As confusion spread, officials initiated the evacuation process, prioritising the safety of players, staff, and spectators.
Speaking to PTI, Arun Dhumal said, “When the announcement was made about the floodlights going off, fans were reluctant to leave. The match w as at a thrilling stage, but we had to ensure evacuation was done without triggering panic. We couldn’t afford a stampede.” Dhumal praised the efforts of the local police and district authorities in executing a seamless evacuation. “Their coordination was exceptional. Without their support, it wouldn’t have been possible,” he noted.
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He also compared the situation to the 2021 IPL season that was paused mid-way due to the COVID-19 outbreak and resumed in the UAE. But he emphasised that this instance was unique due to its real-time security threat.
“The challenge of halting a live game for safety reasons was unprecedented,” he said. Recalling the critical moments, Dhumal shared that he was alerted during the first strategic timeout. He promptly informed both team managements and ensured that players remained calm and unaware of the specific nature of the threat to avoid panic. “My duty was to safeguard everyone involved, from players to crew,” he said.
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The BCCI has since suspended the IPL for a week. As things stand, Gujarat Titans lead the table, while CSK, SRH, and RR have already bowed out of the playoffs race.
