The travel plans of Mumbai Indians have been hit owing to the closure of airports in Chandigarh and Dharamsala. Following Operation Sindoor, several airports, including those at cities bordering Pakistan, have been shut till May 10. Punjab Kings, who are already present at the venue, do not have any issues. However, with MI refusing to travel to Dharamsala, the PBKS vs MI match on May 11 is likely to be shifted to Mumbai. An official confirmation is awaited.
Matches in Dharamsala
- May 8: Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals at 7:30 PM
- May 11: Punjab Kings vs Mumbai Indians at 3:30 PM
DC, MI stranded due to Operation Sindoor
As per the Times of India, a BCCI official said that the team will have to adopt a wait-and-watch approach to see what could be the solution. The official noted that MI were due to arrive in Dharamsala on May 10 but now faces uncertainty as the Chandigarh airport is closed. He added that while Delhi was an option, it would mean a long journey for the team to travel to Dharamsala.
“We will have to wait and watch for now. There is no option because even the Chandigarh airport is shut so we need to see what can be done. Two teams are already here and MI were 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,” said a senior BCCI official.
As per a News18 report, PBKS vs MI match scheduled for May 11 has been shifted from Dharamsala to Mumbai. While there is no official confirmation yet, the cancelled flights and airport closures could still hamper the travel plans of Punjab Kings. PBKS will now have to travel from Delhi to Mumbai.
Operation Sindoor, conducted by the Indian Armed Forces, targeted 9 locations harbouring terrorists in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) in the wee hours of May 7. MI are set to take on PBKS in Dharamsala on May 11, while DC, who are already present at the venue, will lock horns with Shreyas Iyer and co. on May 8.
“We’ve not had any information from the BCCI and IPL officials so far. We are going ahead as per the original schedule,” a Punjab Kings official told Cricbuzz.
Flights cancelled, airports shut
Carrier IndiGo has announced that all flights to Dharamsala will be cancelled until May 10. Other airlines like Air India has also issued an advisory for passengers.
It remains to be seen if the location for the game against MI will be shifted to another venue, given the situation. Meanwhile, DC will have to travel back to Delhi by May 11 for their clash against GT.
