The Indian Premier League (IPL) has been forced to change its schedule due to mounting fears over a potential Pakistani retaliation in response to India's aggression.
Originally set to be held in Dharamsala on May 11, the match between Punjab Kings and Mumbai Indians will now be played in Mumbai after the region was declared a potential security risk.
The sudden venue change was triggered by growing concerns over Pakistan's retaliation that followed shooting down Indian fighter jets, including Rafale's.
Located just 60 kilometres from the India-Pakistan border, Dharamsala quickly became a no-go zone for major events.
Local authorities, along with Indian security forces, moved to high alert, while the BCCI had no option but to pull the plug on the scenic Himachal Pradesh stadium just days before the fixture.
Though the match is being shifted to Mumbai, it may not be held at the Wankhede Stadium. The BCCI is reportedly scouting alternate venues in the city, with confirmation expected soon.
This marks a significant occassion where a threat from Pakistan has directly influenced India’s domestic cricket calendar.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will also convene to decide the fate of HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) schedule, with tentative reports suggesting HBL PSL to continue as per scheduled.
Pak-India tensions
Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), which killed 26 people. India accused Pakistan-based elements but provided no evidence. Pakistan strongly denied the claims.
In retaliation, India closed the Wagah border, suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, and revoked Pakistani visas on April 23. Pakistan responded by calling any disruption of water flow an "act of war" and closed its side of Wagah.
On Wednesday this week, reports of explosions across Pakistan, including in Muzaffarabad and Bahawalpur, confirmed Indian airstrikes.
Pakistan’s response was immediate, with both air and ground operations. Within an hour, Pakistan shot down five Indian fighter jets, including four Rafale aircraft purchased from France.
"Pakistan could have shot down 10 Indian jets," said Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, but chose to exercise restraint. Despite the scale of Pakistan's retaliation, Indian media remained silent on the losses, with The Hindu initially reporting the downing of three Indian jets before removing the article.
Experts noted that the loss of Rafale jets would significantly damage India’s claim of air superiority. Some suggested the confrontation tested Chinese and Western military technologies, particularly as Pakistan’s J-10C jets proved effective.
Additionally, Pakistan’s armed forces confirmed the neutralization of 25 Israeli-made Harop drones used by India in recent incursions.
The drones were shot down using both electronic countermeasures and conventional weaponry. The ISPR described the drone incursions as a "desperate and panicked response" following Pakistan’s retaliatory strikes on May 6-7.
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