Australia women’s cricket team captain and Mitchell Starc’s wife Alyssa Healy recently shared in a podcast the heartbreaking story of the night when the IPL match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharamshala had to be stopped midway due to security reasons. This was the first time that an IPL match was canceled due to security reasons. Know here the complete story of this incident in 10 points:
1. Floodlights suddenly extinguished, even spectators were surprised
Suddenly the floodlights started switching off during the match at Dharamshala Stadium. BCCI cited technical glitch as the reason, but the real reason was the increasing tension on the border and air raid sirens.
2. Match canceled citing security, spectators evacuated
IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal himself was busy in evacuating the spectators peacefully. The entire city was blacked out so that the stadium would not shine like a “beacon”.
3. Alyssa Healy and the players’ families were immediately evacuated.
Healy said she was in the stands with other players’ families when suddenly a staff member turned white in the face and said, “We have to leave immediately.”
4. Tension in the dressing room, Faf du Plessis standing without shoes
When everyone gathered in a room, DC player Faf du Plessis was without shoes. The atmosphere was very tense and confusing.
5. Starc told – Missiles fell 60 kilometers away
Mitchell Starc told his wife Alyssa that missiles had fallen on a nearby town and drones had also been seen, causing a blackout in the entire area.
6. ‘Call of Duty’ like experience, missile launchers seen on the streets
Healy said that on his way out of Dharamsala, he saw ground-launched missile systems along the roads – like a scene from a video game.
7. Someone burst crackers during the day – everyone stood still.
In a village someone burst crackers during the day. Healy said everyone stopped at lunch and felt something bad was happening. Later it came to light that perhaps it was someone’s wedding.
8. Convoy of 40-50 vehicles under police protection
Kangra SP Shalini Agnihotri said that players, staff and media were sent in about 40–50 vehicles to Hoshiarpur, from where Punjab Police took over the security.
9. Transported from Jalandhar to Delhi by Vande Bharat
Everyone was sent from Jalandhar Railway Station to New Delhi by special ‘Vande Bharat Express’. During this, everyone was provided high security.
10. IPL suspended for a week, then reinstated with new dates
BCCI suspended IPL for 1 week after the incident. Now the new schedule will start from 17th May and the final will be played on 3rd June.
Conclusion:
This incident highlights the concern not only for cricket but for the safety of the players and their families. These revelations by Alyssa Healy show how many unusual circumstances are often hidden behind the game.
May 12, 2025