IPL 2025: Uncertainty Looms Over Team Travels in Dharamsala Amid Operation Sindoor and Military Escalation

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New Delhi May 7: The picturesque hill station of Dharamsala, which is scheduled to host two IPL 2025 matches in the coming days, finds itself in the eye of an unexpected storm as India's ongoing military operation - dubbed Operation Sindoor - has led to the temporary shutdown of its airport and disrupted travel plans for multiple IPL franchises.

Following India's precision missile strikes targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir, security agencies have placed northern airspaces on high alert, temporarily grounding civilian flight operations across at least 18 airports, including Dharamsala, Chandigarh, Amritsar, Jammu, and Srinagar.

IPL's Dharamsala Leg Under a Cloud?

Dharamsala - which is the second home ground of the Chandigarh-based franchise Punjab Kings - is set to host two remaining league-stage fixtures this IPL season in the coming days:

Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals on May 9

Punjab Kings vs Mumbai Indians on May 11

Punjab Kings, who consider Dharamsala their second home, are already stationed in the town and face no immediate logistical issues. However, for visiting teams and associated personnel, support staff, broadcasters, and production units-the unexpected airspace closures have thrown up significant travel challenges.

A senior BCCI official, speaking to PTI under anonymity, admitted, "Everything is fluid at the moment. Discussions are on with franchises. They are internally exploring options, including the possibility of road travel, though that has its own constraints."

For Delhi Capitals, who are due to play in Dharamsala on Thursday and return to their home base for a game on Sunday, the window for a swift turnaround is narrowing. Mumbai Indians, scheduled to travel to the hill station for the May 11 match, are still in a holding pattern, awaiting clarity on whether the match will go ahead as planned.

Broadcast, Security, and Travel Headaches

While teams may still consider bus journeys or charter flights-if and when airspace restrictions ease - the logistical burden extends far beyond the squads. Broadcast crews, camera and sound equipment, and on-ground production units may find it harder to move through the region's mountainous terrain on short notice.

"It's not just about the players getting to the venue. We're talking about the entire ecosystem of match production, which is critical for live broadcast," the BCCI official said. "We are in constant touch with local authorities."

Adding to the complexity is the shutdown of Chandigarh airport, which typically acts as the alternate air route for Dharamsala. With it also under temporary closure, the backup routes are limited to road journeys from cities like Pathankot or even further south - a logistical nightmare in an already tight IPL calendar.

Operation Sindoor: A Nation on High Alert

The military action that triggered the current uncertainty followed a horrific terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, where 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed. India's swift and targeted missile strikes on nine terror hubs have been met with international attention and heightened domestic security measures. In response, civil aviation authorities have prioritized national defence needs over routine travel.

With airspace restrictions unlikely to be lifted until clearance from defence agencies, IPL stakeholders are treading cautiously.

What's Next?

As of now, no official word has emerged on the relocation or postponement of the Dharamsala matches. The BCCI is expected to issue a final call in coordination with state authorities and the central government once the security situation stabilises. For now, teams and fans can only wait and watch.