The unprecedented blackout on the western front Thursday cast a long shadow on the Indian Premier League.
Around 9.35 pm, the match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala, about 90 km from Pathankot which saw aerial attacks from across the border, was called off after 10.1 overs. Then, the BCCI went into a huddle to decide the future of the tournament.
“We are monitoring the situation, seeking the Government’s advice, and will take the final decision on the IPL tomorrow. The situation is changing day by day. We will do whatever we are told and inform all stakeholders. At the moment, our priority is the safety of all players, fans and stakeholders,” BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla told The Indian Express.
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It is learnt that the BCCI is also keeping its options open, including the possibility of pausing the league or revising the tournament itinerary.
Sources said the decision to stop the Dharamsala game was taken by the hosts Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association following a phone call from a top cricket official. Following the communication, the light towers went off and the ground went partially dark. Soon, the spectators were asked to head towards the exit.
IPL chairperson Arun Dhumal was seen walking along the boundary, gesturing to the fans to leave the stadium. The players from both teams were asked to board their buses and head to the team hotel. The evacuation was so swift that many of the players reached the hotel with their pads still on.
“We were told about attacks in nearby Pathankot. We are asked to go back to the hotel immediately. There was some panic… Delhi Capitals were seated in the Punjab team bus and vice-versa. We wanted to go out but there was a huge crowd. The foreign players were worried, with many of them wanting to return home,” a player said.
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With the airports in the region shut, the BCCI is working on Plan B. “We are trying to see if we can get the teams to Delhi by train. The BCCI is trying its best to ensure everyone is safe,” Shukla said.
It is understood that franchises have been appraising the overseas players about the situation with the assurance that should any of them wish to leave, travel would be facilitated. The BCCI is also likely to appraise other boards about the situation and ensure the safety of their players.
Earlier in the day, the SMS stadium in Jaipur, scheduled to hold a game in a week’s time, received a bomb threat over email. DCP South Jaipur City, Balaram, told The Indian Express that an FIR has been filed, and police are trying to find the source of the email.
(With Parul Kulshrestha)
