BCCI Moves IPL Match from Dharamshala to Ahmedabad Citing Security Concerns After Operation Sindoor
Fear of retaliation?
The IPL match between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Mumbai Indians (MI), originally scheduled to be held in Dharamshala on May 11, 2025, has been moved to Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium due to security and logistical concerns following India’s “Operation Sindoor.”
This military operation led to heightened tensions and the closure of airports in northern India, including Dharamshala and Chandigarh, making it impossible for teams to travel to the original venue.
Dharamshala is located near the India-Pakistan border (about 60 km away), which raised security concerns about hosting a large, floodlit event so close to sensitive zones after the military strikes.
This proximity and the resulting airport shutdowns prompted the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to relocate the match to a safer and more accessible venue.
According to media reports, initially, Mumbai was considered, but Ahmedabad was eventually selected to avoid giving any team a home advantage.
The Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) confirmed its readiness to host the match on short notice, and the date of the match remains unchanged at May 11, 3:30 pm IST. The PBKS and MI teams are expected to fly to Ahmedabad a day before the match.
The relocation of the IPL match from Dharamshala to Ahmedabad was driven by security fears linked to the border proximity and the operational challenges caused by airport closures after Operation Sindoor.
