With airports shut, IPL teams face logistical challenge

THE TEMPORARY closure of Dharamsala airport after India's missile attack on Pakistan has disrupted the travel plans of IPL teams.

Dharamsala, which is due to host the Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals clash on Thursday, has one more match left on schedule - the May 11 game between Punjab and Mumbai Indians.

For Thursday's (8) match, both teams have reached, but since the use of floodlights is a security issue, it could affect the match timings.

A Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association source told PTI that they have not yet got any written intimation from either the BCCI, or the central and state governments about the cancellation of Thursday's match.

The Sunday clash is a logistical challenge as well right now given that Mumbai Indians is in no position to travel due to the airport closure.

The BCCI, it is learnt, is mulling the option of shifting the game to Mumbai.

"We have not been told about the venue change yet. We are waiting to hear from the BCCI," a Punjab Kings official said.

Delhi has very little time to figure out its logistics as the players have to be back in the national capital for their next game, against Gujarat Titans, which is also on Sunday.

BCCI officials told PTI that they are discussing alternate options of travelling from Dharamsala to Delhi in case the airport remains shut.

At least 18 airports in the northern and western parts of the country have been temporarily shut owing to the military escalation.

These include Srinagar, Leh, Jammu, Amritsar, Pathankot, Chandigarh, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Shimla, Dharamshala and Jamnagar.

India carried out precision strikes on nine locations in Pakistan in retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack.