New Delhi: A special Vande Bharat train carrying players and support staff from both Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Delhi Capitals (DC), along with match officials, commentators, and other key personnel, has arrived in New Delhi from Jalandhar. The train journey was arranged after the IPL 2025 match between PBKS and DC was called off mid-game due to security concerns caused by air and drone strikes from Pakistan.
The IPL match in Dharamshala was halted after just 10.1 overs in the first innings, as blackouts from the attacks in Jammu, Pathankot, and Udhampur, areas near the hill station, led to safety concerns. Following the decision to suspend the game, spectators were safely evacuated, and players, along with the support staff, were escorted to their hotels under tight security.
To ensure safe and swift transport from Dharamshala, the BCCI coordinated with Indian Railways to arrange a special train from Jalandhar to New Delhi, bypassing the no-fly zone in the region. The convoy of buses took players and other stakeholders to Jalandhar, where they boarded the train to Delhi.
Kuldeep Yadav, DC’s left-arm wrist-spinner, expressed his gratitude for the smooth travel arrangements in a video posted on IPL’s official social media account. “The crew was very big, and the way they managed it was very good. I would like to thank BCCI and Indian Railways,” he said.
The train journey, which lasted nearly 12 hours, was conducted under strict security and confidentiality. Passengers were not informed in advance about the train arrangements and were instructed to maintain secrecy for security reasons.
The IPL’s official social media also thanked the Indian Railways Ministry for swiftly arranging the special Vande Bharat train. “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,” the post said.
Earlier, the BCCI had announced a one-week suspension of IPL 2025 due to rising tensions between India and Pakistan. With 12 league-stage matches and the playoffs still to be played, the future of the tournament remains uncertain, dependent on how the situation unfolds in the coming days.
