WATCH: Special Vande Bharat train deployed for IPL 2025 players and staff

Tension at the Dharmashala started to rise at its peak when security personnel asked spectators to leave the ground after a part of the floodlights went off. At first, the reports came out from the stadium suggesting that due to technical issues, lights went off.

Later it was widely covered that for security reasons people evacuated from the stadium and the Punjab Kings vs. Delhi Capitals (PBKS vs. DC) match was called off.

Before the match there was lots of concern, as the situation of North India was not at its best because of the latest India-Pakistan conflict. PBKS officials were already asked to shift their upcoming home match against Mumbai Indians, which was scheduled to be played on May 11, to Ahmedabad from Dharamshala.

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Several airports, including nearby airports of Dharamshala, are currently not operational for commercial purposes. In that scenario, it was a major duty for BCCI, PBKS, and DC team management to ensure the player's safety and find a suitable way to get out from there to a safer place. 

In the hour of needs, Indian Railways proved its supremacy

Airports are closed, so taking a flight was not an option for access. In the hour of need, Indian Railways stepped forward and sent a special Vande Bharat Express to a nearby railway station. From there, players and staff of Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals and all other crew members related to the PBKS vs. DC match were safely carried to New Delhi. 

Watch the video here 

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.

We deeply appreciate your swift response. 🙌🏽@AshwiniVaishnaw | @JayShah |… pic.twitter.com/tUwzc5nGWD

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 9, 2025

Indian Premier League, from their official 'X' account with a video of the special train, said, "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."