The anticipated clash between the Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Mumbai Indians (MI), originally slated for May 11 at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala, is reportedly being moved to Mumbai due to security concerns following "Operation Sindoor".
"Operation Sindoor" refers to military retaliation by the Indian Army, responding to terror attacks in Pahalgam. In the early hours of May 7, 2025, India conducted missile strikes on nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). As a precautionary measure, several airports in North India, including those in Dharamshala, Jammu, Srinagar, and Leh, were temporarily shut down.
The decision to shift the PBKS vs MI game was made due to the proximity of Dharamshala to the Line of Control (LoC), approximately 60 km away. Hosting a large gathering in a floodlit stadium was deemed a security risk amidst escalating tensions. While initial reports suggested the match would be moved to Wankhede Stadium, later reports indicate that it may be held at either the Brabourne or the D.Y. Patil Stadium in Mumbai. If the match is moved to D.Y. Patil Stadium, it will be the first IPL match at the venue since 2022.
Adding to the uncertainty, there were also doubts raised about whether the match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals scheduled for May 8, 2025, would proceed as planned in Dharamshala.
Flight operators have issued travel advisories, which may impact IPL matches scheduled in Dharamshala. Indigo, a major flight operator, announced the cancellation of flights to and from several cities, including Dharamshala, until May 10.
Despite the airport closures and security concerns, the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) initially maintained that the games would proceed as scheduled. The Delhi Capitals team had already arrived in Dharamshala, but the travel arrangements for the Mumbai Indians were uncertain given the airport closures. It was mentioned that the Mumbai team could travel by road from Chandigarh to Dharamshala, a journey of approximately six hours.
An HPCA source stated that there were no changes to the schedule, but the governing council would provide clarity on the issue soon. It remained to be seen how franchise owners, guests, and fans would travel to the venue.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had not yet released an official statement regarding the changes. However, a BCCI source told ANI that the IPL 2025 season would continue normally and the current circumstances would not affect the IPL scheduling and matches.
