The 58th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 between Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings was abruptly abandoned due to a power outage at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced late Thursday night that the match was called off following a technical failure that led to the malfunction of one of the stadium’s floodlight towers.
The disruption occurred during the first innings of the match, prompting an unexpected halt in play. Although the official statement from the BCCI attributed the interruption to a localized power issue affecting the floodlight system, on-ground reports hinted at broader concerns. Eyewitnesses and several attendees reported evacuation measures being enforced at the venue, leading to speculation that the real reason behind the cancellation might be linked to security concerns.
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Sources from ESPNcricinfo revealed that IPL authorities had instructed a full evacuation of the stadium amid increasing security threats. These developments come at a time of escalating geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan. While speculation continues, no official link has been confirmed between the diplomatic unrest and the disruption of the IPL match.
Despite the growing concerns, the BCCI maintained its stance, reaffirming that the technical failure was caused by a regional power outage that compromised one of the floodlight towers. The governing body expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to the thousands of fans in attendance and emphasized its commitment to ensuring the safety and continuity of the tournament.
This incident marks one of the rare occasions in IPL history where a match has been abandoned under such unusual and contested circumstances. The IPL is expected to review security protocols and venue infrastructure in light of the incident to prevent similar occurrences during the remainder of the season.
