IPL cheerleader shares 'scary' experience as Dharamsala match is called off:'Everyone was screaming'

A video of a cheerleader expressing her shock from the venue after the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 match was called off in Dharamsala on Thursday is going viral. The match between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Delhi Capitals (DC) was called off midway due to “technical failure” as floodlights stopped working.

However, the suspension of the match coincided with Pakistan launching missile and drone attacks on multiple Indian cities across and north and west borders, including in cities like Jammu and Jaisalmer. As soon as the situation escalated, the floodlights were switched off in the stadium, the match was suspended and the fans were evacuated.

Dharamsala is not far from the Pakistan border and the 11 May game at the venue has already been shifted to Ahmedabad, but the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), for some reason, decided to go ahead with the 8 May match.

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Nonetheless, better sense prevailed before any mishappening could take place.

IPL cheerleader: ‘Everyone was screaming that there were bombs coming’

A cheerleader working in the IPL match took to social media to share the fear that was felt by those who were at the venue.

“The whole stadium was evacuated in the middle of the game. It was very scary,” she said in a video that is going viral. “Everyone was screaming that there were bombs coming. It still is very scary. We want to really leave Dharamsala. I hope IPL people are going to look after us. I don’t know why I’m not crying; maybe I’m still in shock.”

According to indian media IPL match in Dharamsala stopped due to floodlight issue, but reality related to security issues.
A cheerleader shared a video on social media. pic.twitter.com/AwUlLt07Eh

— 🗿 (@Pasandeeda_Mard) May 8, 2025

With the airport being shut for civilian flights in Dharamsala, the players, coaches, cheerleaders and broadcast crew are currently stuck in the Himalayan town. The BCCI is in the process of arranging a special train for the evacuation of the players and everyone else.

The BCCI can also take a call on the continuation of the IPL 2025 on Friday.