New Delhi: Delhi Capitals (DC) all-rounder Vipraj Nigam expressed his gratitude towards the Indian Army and the Indian government for safely evacuating both teams from Dharamshala after his side’s clash against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the IPL 2025 was called off midway due to escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. The match, which was being played at the HPCA Stadium on Thursday, May 08, was called after 10 overs in the first innings.
While BCCI cited a significant technical failure as the reason behind the match getting abandoned, the game was called off minutes after Pakistan attacked the Pathankot airbase, which is less than 100km from Dharamshala. The fans present inside the stadium were immediately evacuated from the stadium along with the players, support staff and all staffe related to the IPL.
The IPL 2025 was suspended for a week the following day. Players and support staff from DC and Punjab Kings were safely evacuated and travelled to Delhi in a specially-arranged Vande Bharat train the next day. Recently, DC all-rounder Vipraj recalled the day and thanked the Indian Army and the Indian government for ensuring a safe passage for both teams.
“Everyone knows what the situation was and why it was. But there were some Indian Army people in our team. Many people came to help us to take us home. The situation was normal in the beginning. But after that, they made arrangements for us very easily,” Vipraj said in the pre-match press conference before DC’s clash against the Gujarat Titans at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Saturday.
“The Indian Government and the Indian Army did everything for us. It is better not to call it an experience. But whatever it was, it happened in the past. But I am thankful to the Indian Government and the Indian Army, that they brought us home safely,” added the DC all-rounder.
It was an unsettling experience for several players from both teams, but the authorities involved ensured that they safely made it to New Delhi before leaving for their respective homes. Several DC players, including Australian pacer Mitchell Starc and batter Jake Fraser-McGurk, have refused to return to India for the resumption of IPL 2025.
DC to resume IPL 2025 campaign against GT
Delhi Capitals will resume their IPL 2025 campaign against Gujarat Titans at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on May 17. While GT are at the top of the IPL 2025 points table, one win away from victory, Delhi Capitals are currently fifth on the points table with 13 points from 11 matches and need at least two more wins to be certain of a spot in the playoffs.
A Delhi Capitals all-rounder thanked the Indian Army for helping the team during the evacuation process at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala after their match against Punjab Kings was called off midway due to the India-Pakistan conflict. IPL Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
