Preity Zinta Praises Fans for Calm Amid Dharamsala Blackout, Thanks Officials for Swift IPL Evacuation

New Delhi, May 11 – Bollywood actor and Punjab Kings co-owner Preity Zinta on Sunday expressed heartfelt gratitude to fans and officials following the abrupt cancellation of the IPL match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala due to a sudden blackout linked to India’s ongoing military conflict with Pakistan.

Fans Lauded for Calm Evacuation​

The match, which took place last Thursday, was halted when the Punjab side stood at 122 for 1 in 10.1 overs. Initially attributed to floodlight failure, the blackout led to a full evacuation of the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium, which was about 80 percent full at the time. Security concerns prompted the move as tensions escalated in the region.

In a post on X, Zinta thanked the spectators for their composed response, emphasizing the importance of safety during such uncertain times.

"To all the people that were in the Dharamshala stadium - Thankyou Thankyou Thankyou for not panicking & for any stampedes... I’m sorry I was a bit curt & said no to pictures with everyone but the need of the hour was the safety of everyone," she wrote. "It was my duty & responsibility to make sure everyone stayed safe."

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Videos circulating online showed Zinta urging fans to leave the stadium calmly, a gesture that earned widespread praise for leadership under pressure.

IPL Suspended, Teams Evacuated with Tight Security​

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) suspended the Indian Premier League indefinitely on Friday, citing the intensifying India-Pakistan conflict. A BCCI official stated that continuing the tournament "would not look appropriate" given the current national situation.

Both Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals players, along with their support staff, were escorted out of Dharamsala under heavy security. They were transported to Jalandhar railway station in batches via Hoshiarpur and then boarded a special 'Vande Bharat Express' to reach New Delhi on Friday night. Airports in Dharamsala, Kangra, and Chandigarh were shut down as a precautionary measure.

Zinta Acknowledges Support from Government and IPL Officials​

In her post, Zinta also extended her thanks to Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, ICC Chairman Jay Shah, IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal, BCCI, and Punjab Kings CEO Satish Menon.

"A heartfelt thank you to Indian Railways & our Railway Minister Mr. Ashwini Vaishnaw for helping both IPL teams and all officials & families leave Dharamshala in a safe, swift & comfortable way," she wrote. "A big thank you to @JayShah, Mr Arun Dhumal, BCCI & our CEO Mr Satish Menon & the Operations team of @PunjabKingsIPL for helping co-ordinate the evacuation."

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BCCI Discussing League Resumption​

Following the ceasefire announcement between India and Pakistan on Saturday, BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla confirmed that the IPL Governing Council and Board officials would meet on Sunday to explore options for resuming the suspended T20 league.

The situation remains fluid as the cricketing world waits to see how and when the IPL might safely return to action.