IPL chairman Arun Dhumal remembered the evacuation process at the HPCA stadium in Dharamsale after the match between Kings Pandjab (PBK) and Delhi Capitals (DC) was dismissed from Midway for security concerns. The decision to interrupt the game was taken after 10.1 overs in pandjab shifts.
Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh gave PBKS flying start with 122-Run opening partnership. Soon after Priyansh was rejected, one of the headlights left on the spot. Subsequently, more headlights failed when the crowd began to evacuate the stadium.
The match was stopped after Pakistan tried to attack drones near Chandigar. Dhumal said that his responsibility was to ensure that the crowd would safely and calmly step out of the venue without launching panic.
Also read: From Dharamsaly to Delhi via Jalandhar: How the IPL teams were moved in security fears
“… When the announcement was made in the public addresses, the headlights were leaving, people did not want to leave. We had to ensure that the audience evacuates without pressing the panic button.
“… you have to understand that the match was very exciting in the way the pandjab fired … the whole operation would not be possible without the help of the local police and the district administration. They did a great job.”
“They had to ensure that players did not get or panically”
Dhumal also remembered the IPL 2021 season, which was stopped due to the Covid-19 pandemic and later moved from India to the United Arab Emirates (SAE). However, he noted that the recent incident was different because this included an unprecedented challenge to stop a live match for security concerns.
“… During Covid-19 we had a big challenge when the tournament was stopped in the middle. But yesterday’s challenge was different because we had to stop the live game for a security protocol,” Dhumal said.
“To ensure that everything happens smoothly in the fastest possible time was a challenge. But we had a permanent crowd that also responded to our call.”
“During the first strategic time limit, I was intimated about the blackout of the protocol. We had little time, but I quickly informed the highest management officials of both DC management and pandjab that the lights would go out at some time and how we plan it.
“I talked to them and told them to make sure the players were not scared or panic. I also had to ensure that the crew and others who worked on the game also left the stadium safely. It was my duty,” Dhumal added.
Meanwhile, BCCI issued a statement where he said that IPL has been postponed seven days. As IPL stayed, Gujarat Titani are at the top of the table with Chennai Super Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals have already been discarded.
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Published:
Sabyasachi Chowdhury
Published on:
9 May 2025
Tune
