New Delhi: As many as 18 airports in the northern and western parts of the country have been shut down for civilian operations amid heightened security following Operation Sindoor. One of those, the Kangra airport, serves Dharamshala which happens to be a host city of the ongoing IPL 2025.
The adopted home ground of Punjab Kings, HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala is scheduled to host two more matches of the Shreyas Iyer-led team. One of them is on May 8, against Delhi Capitals, and the other versus Mumbai Indians on May 11.
The obvious question is whether teams will be able to travel to Dharamshala and play in one of the world’s most picturesque cricket venues in the wake of escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, resulting in closure of several airports. Dharamshala’s proximity to the border is also a conideration.
Delhi Capitals reached Dharamshala before the decision to close the airport, while Punjab Kings were already in town, having played there two days back.
Unless there is some untoward development overnight or ahead of the 7 pm match, Thursday’s IPL clash should go ahead on schedule.
Luckily, after the May 8 game, Delhi Capitals (DC) will be playing at their home ground in Ferozeshah Kotla. Even if airports remain closed, the DC contingent can travel by road from Dharamshala to New Delhi for their May 11 clash against Gujarat Titans.
However, Mumbai Indians are in a more dicey situation. Their travel to Dharamshala for Sunday’s fixture against Punjab Kings has been delayed.
There is no certainty that the five-time IPL champions will be able to reach Dharamshala before the match as the Dharamsala airport and others have been suspended until further notice.
After India’s military operation targeting terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK), the Central government and security forces are taking every precaution to guard against a possible retaliation from across the border.
