Healy recalls chaos in Dharamsala during IPL tie abandonment

The events of 8 May in Dharamsala marked a first in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL) when the match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals was abandoned midway through the first innings due to security reasons stemming from escalating India-Pakistan border tensions.

- STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE

Australia women's cricket team captain Alyssa Healy, who is married to star quick Mitchell Starc, witnessed the chaos from the sidelines where she was seated along with family members of other Delhi Capitals players and support personnel. At the time, the Indian cricket board (BCCI) cited a technical failure of the floodlights at the time.

However, it later emerged that the real reason was heightened security alerts following air-raid sirens in areas not far from the India-Pakistan border. PBKS were cruising at 122 for 1 in 10.1 overs when one of the light towers went out. Soon after, others dimmed, and the players were ushered off the field. IPL chairman Arun Dhumal was seen urging spectators to evacuate the stadium as a blackout was ordered across Dharamsala. Narrating the entire episode, Healy termed it a surreal experience, and explained the extent of caution that the security agencies took during the evacuation process. "It was a surreal experience.