With several airports along the Pakistan border being closed, will it impact the IPL? Airports in Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Jodhpur, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Rajkot, Amritsar and Chandigarh have been closed until 5.30 am on May 10 in the wake of Operation Sindoor, with multiple airlines issuing advisories and suspending operations.
The IPL teams that are in Dharamsala might be impacted by this. Punjab Kings are scheduled to play their next match against Delhi Capitals in the picturesque hill station on Thursday. Both teams are in playoff contention. The tournament has reached its home stretch and matches are coming thick and fast.
PBKS’ next match is against Mumbai Indians on May 11, again in Dharamsala. Capitals will play against Gujarat Titans in Delhi on the same day. With airports closed, teams’ travel plans could be upset. As regards Thursday's game though, the IPL hasn't issued any advisory and unless there's a government directive, it will go ahead as per schedule.
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“We will have to wait and watch for now,” a senior BCCI official was quoted as saying by Times of India. “There's no option, because even the Chandigarh airport is shut, so we need to see what can be done. Two teams are already here (Dharamsala) and MI are supposed to arrive later this week for their match on May 11. The nearest option is the Delhi airport, but that would mean a long road journey for the teams. We are tracking government advisories and will take the call as necessary.”
PBKS and DC, the two teams that are already in Dharamsala, haven't received any communication from the BCCI yet. But according to sources, MI's travel plans might be changed. The Hardik Pandya-led side played their last game in Mumbai, against GT.
Going ahead, the BCCI and the IPL teams might face some logistical challenges.
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