The Indian Premier League (IPL) has been put on hold due to rising tensions between India and Pakistan. As a result, players and staff from the Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals teams were stranded in Himachal Pradesh. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) requested the government to arrange a special train to bring them back to Delhi.
The Indian Railways responded quickly, deploying a Vande Bharat train to transport the IPL personnel. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw oversaw the operation, ensuring the safe passage of the players, support staff, commentators, and production crew.
Safe Passage Home
The special train was arranged on short notice, and the players and staff boarded at Jalandhar. The train made its way to Delhi, where it arrived on the night of May 9, 2025. A video shared by the IPL on their social media account showed the players and staff disembarking from the train at Delhi’s railway station.
The BCCI thanked the Indian Railways for their swift response, expressing gratitude for the safe transportation of the IPL personnel. In total, five special trains were operated from Jammu, Udhampur, and Katra to Delhi to evacuate people stranded due to airport closures.
The IPL’s decision to suspend the tournament was made as a precautionary measure amid the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. The league is expected to resume once the situation improves.