Players and staff report confusion and fear as IPL and PSL suspended

It was a hectic and sleepless 24 hours for the two teams trapped in Dharamshala

Photo from 2017 Test in Dharamshala

(Sydney 7pm)

Players and coaching staff are in the process of being evacuated from northern India after the suspension of the IPL, but there had been concerns for some days about the decision by the BCCI to attempt to play in Dharamshala on Thursday.

The players started arriving in the mountainous region three days ago to find that the airport was closed, and then learned that the Mumbai Indians match against Punjab, scheduled for Sunday at the same venue, had already been shifted to Ahmedabad.

Thursday’s game was abandoned as the stadium was plunged into darkness, as India and Pakistan exchanged drone attacks in the region. The IPL chairman, Arun Dhumal, motioned to spectators at the match to evacuate the stadium after the blackout halted play.

Players were sent back to the team hotel, and those involved reported a sleepless night with no reliable information to act on and concerns that their lives could be in danger.