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After their IPL 2025 match in Dharamsala was abandoned due to security alerts, PBKS and DC players traveled to Delhi via a special Vande Bharat train arranged by the BCCI — watch how they made the most of the unexpected journey.
New Delhi: A day after the IPL 2025 match between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Delhi Capitals (DC) was abruptly called off in Dharamsala, players and staff from both franchises safely reached Delhi’s Safdarjung Railway Station today, following a carefully coordinated evacuation effort.
The match, scheduled for May 8 at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, was abandoned during the first innings—PBKS were cruising at 122 for 1 in 10.1 overs—after emergency alerts and air raid warnings were issued in the surrounding regions, including Jammu and Pathankot, due to rising tensions along the India-Pakistan border.
While the sporting implications were significant—PBKS missed a key opportunity to secure their playoff spot, and DC now face added pressure to stay in the race—it was the security concern that took precedence. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) swiftly moved to safeguard all involved.
In a well-coordinated effort, the players and staff were first moved by road from Dharamsala to Jalandhar, before boarding a special Vande Bharat Express train bound for Delhi. The train journey, completed earlier today, brought the players to Safdarjung Railway Station, marking the conclusion of a tense yet safely executed relocation.
The Ministry of Railways was lauded for responding promptly and efficiently. The IPL’s official social media handle shared a video expressing gratitude to the Railways for organizing the train on such short notice, helping ferry not just players, but also support staff, commentators, production crew, and operations personnel.
Thank you, @RailMinIndia, for arranging a special Vande Bharat train on such short notice to ferry the players, support staff, commentators, production crew members, and operations staff to New Delhi.
We deeply appreciate your swift response. 🙌🏽@AshwiniVaishnaw | @JayShah |… pic.twitter.com/tUwzc5nGWD
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 9, 2025
Despite the intense circumstances, videos from the train showed moments of relaxation and unity among PBKS and DC players as they shared meals and lighthearted conversations—choosing camaraderie over chaos.
With Delhi now serving as a temporary safe zone, both teams will refocus on the remainder of the tournament under heightened security and public attention. While May 8 was about cricket, May 9 was all about the journey—a reminder that sometimes, safety takes precedence over sport.
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