Our Bureau
Chandigarh
The Indian Premier League has been impacted by the recent cross-border tensions, leading to a situation in which few teams are unable to travel to different IPL venues or cities for their league stage matches due to airport closures. This situation has impacted majorly three teams like Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians.
On 7th May 2025, Indian Army carried out Operation Sindoor in response to the terror attacks that took the lives of 26 civilians’ majority of which were tourists visiting the valley. The Indian armed forces carried out the operation hitting nine terrorist camps in Pakistan as well as Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. Due to the risks of retaliation and security concerns in the nation, the flight operations at certain cities of Northwest India have been suspended until further notice. The cities that are facing the suspension are Dharamshala, Chandigarh, Leh, Jammu, Srinagar, and Amritsar.
Mumbai Indians who were supposed to play their penultimate match of the season against the Punjab Kings on 11th May in Dharamshala are facing travel issues as the airports of Chandigarh and Dharamshala are closed for the foreseeable future. The team management is currently trying to figure out a travel plan to reach the city and practice before their big game. It is most likely that the team will fly from Mumbai to New Delhi and will travel via road to the next venue.
Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings are scheduled to lock horns on 8th May and it is one of the most important matches for both teams as it is going to play a huge role in their chances of qualifying for the playoffs. Though Delhi team reached Dharamshala before the airport had shut down, their main point of concern is their travel plan after the game. Delhi Capitals will most likely take the road and will travel to New Delhi in their team bus.
