Former Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden recently shared a chilling account of how he “literally” had a brush with death during an IPL match in Dharamsala, amidst rising India-Pakistan cross-border tensions.
IPL Suspended Amidst Tensions
The 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) faced an unexpected halt due to escalating cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan. This disruption led to a match between the Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings in Dharamsala being abandoned after just 10.1 overs.
The incident sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. Players and commentators alike found themselves in an unprecedented security situation.
Hayden’s Harrowing Journey to Dharamsala
Matthew Hayden, who was commentating, recounted his arduous journey to the venue. He had flown overnight from Mumbai to Delhi, only to find the Delhi airport closed upon arrival.
“It was at the time that coincided with the incursion of Pakistan back into India,” Hayden explained on the All Over Bar The Cricket podcast. Reports of drones and ground-to-air missiles created an “eerie” atmosphere.
With no flights, Hayden had to endure an 11-12 hour car ride via Chandigarh to reach Dharamsala. Despite the intense security concerns, he was told the game would proceed once he arrived.
A Dire Pre-Match Warning
Before the match, commentators received an alarming security briefing. They were informed that if the stadium light towers went out, it wasn’t a technical glitch. Instead, it would signal that the venue had been “compromised.”
Such an event would trigger an emergency evacuation protocol. This warning set a tense tone for what was supposed to be a regular IPL fixture.
Mid-Commentary Evacuation
Hayden vividly recalled the moment the lights went out. He was mid-sentence during his commentary when the first light tower failed, followed almost immediately by the second.
“Next minute security came in like a blanket,” he said. He was forced to drop his microphone mid-sentence as he and others were swiftly ushered out of the ground. The sudden evacuation underscored the severity of the threat, confirming it was no mere power outage.
The IPL: A Survivor of Challenges
Despite this terrifying experience, Hayden highlighted the IPL’s remarkable resilience. The tournament has faced numerous challenges throughout its history and managed to survive.
It was moved to South Africa in its second year due to elections and later shifted to Dubai during the Covid-19 pandemic. The recent Dharamsala incident adds another dramatic chapter to its enduring legacy.
- The 2025 IPL was briefly suspended due to India-Pakistan cross-border tensions.
- Matthew Hayden experienced a terrifying evacuation from a match in Dharamsala.
- Commentators were pre-warned that lights going out meant a security compromise, not a technical issue.
- Hayden was evacuated mid-sentence during his live commentary as lights went out.
- The IPL has a history of adapting and surviving major disruptions like elections and pandemics.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable challenges major sporting events can face, especially in volatile geopolitical landscapes.
