How did Things change in Dharamshala? Cheerleader Video goes Viral as BCCI sends Train to evacuate Players

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 has been thrown into uncertainty after the high-voltage clash between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala was suspended midway due to escalating cross-border hostilities between India and Pakistan.

The decision to halt the game was taken in the wake of deteriorating security conditions, leading to an immediate evacuation of the stadium by officials. The entire city was in blackout operations, which caused the abandonment.

How did things change in Dharamshala?

Eyewitnesses reported a sudden shift in the atmosphere as spectators were instructed to vacate the stands. Security personnel, acting on instructions from both the local administration and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), oversaw a swift and orderly evacuation of fans, players, and support staff.

A sense of palpable anxiety had already settled over the venue even before the first ball was bowled. Sources confirmed that players and team management from both franchises had expressed concerns regarding the worsening geopolitical situation earlier in the day, particularly following the closure of several airports in North India, including those closest to Dharamsala in Gaggal.

BCCI sends Train for Players

In a late-night development, BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla addressed the media and confirmed the board's immediate priorities.

"We are organising a special train from close to Dharamsala to bring everybody home safely. As of now the match has been called off and the stadium has been evacuated. We will take a call on the tournament's future depending on the situation tomorrow. As of now, players' safety is utmost important. The match couldn't have continued tonight because of the situation. It wasn't safe," Shukla said.

With air travel suspended across key northern sectors and an atmosphere of heightened alert in sensitive regions, the BCCI has taken proactive steps to ensure the safe transfer of players, broadcast crew, and team officials. It is understood that all players involved in the now-abandoned fixture have been moved to their respective hotels under heavy security cover. They will remain there until further instructions are provided by the central IPL operations team.

The abandoned game comes in the shadow of "Operation Sindoor", India's ongoing military response to recent hostile actions. As questions grow over the feasibility of continuing the tournament, the BCCI remains in internal discussions to evaluate alternative venues and contingency measures. The IPL Governing Council is expected to convene urgently, depending on how the security situation evolves overnight.

IPL Cheerleader shares her Experience

An IPL cheerleader also shared her harrowing experience with a video just after the anxiety escalated in Dharamshala. A video on social media has gone viral, where she could be seen walking in an almost empty HPCA stadium after the match was called off. She was visibly in distress and shared her experience.

"So basically the whole stadium in the middle of the game was evacuated and it was very scary. Everyone was just screaming that there are bombs coming and it was very, it's still very, very scary. And we want to really go out of Dharamshala and I hope the IPL people are going to look after us," she was heard saying.