India’s advanced S-400 Sudarshan Chakra air defence systems were launched late last night to intercept and neutralise aerial threats heading toward Indian territory. As per domain experts speaking to ANI, the mission was successful, although official confirmation from the Indian government is still awaited.
India Strikes Back with Equal Intensity
In a counter-response, Indian Armed Forces launched targeted strikes on air defence installations across Pakistan on Thursday morning. Sources indicate that one of the air defence systems neutralised was located in Lahore. The military action mirrored Pakistan’s earlier aggression in both domain and intensity.
IPL Match Shifted from Dharamsala to Ahmedabad
As a result of the heightened military activity and temporary shutdowns of airports in North India, the IPL 2025 clash between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) originally scheduled for May 11 in Dharamsala, will now take place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
This change was confirmed by Anil Patel, secretary of the Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA), who told The Times of India, “Yes, the match between MI and PBKS will now be played in Ahmedabad.”
Travel Disruptions Force Rethink
MI was initially set to travel to Dharamsala on Wednesday evening. However, the closure of Kangra airport following Operation Sindoor grounded their travel plans. Several northern airports have faced shutdowns over the threat of potential retaliation, complicating logistics for multiple IPL teams.
PBKS vs DC to Go Ahead in Dharamsala
Despite the security challenges, the May 8 match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals is set to proceed as scheduled in Dharamsala. However, travel concerns remain for both teams after the game due to airport closures and restricted access.
Teams Consider Alternative Travel Plans
With IPL fixtures tightly packed, team management is actively exploring other travel options. A team official shared that road and rail alternatives are being considered, keeping player well-being in mind.
“We need to keep players’ comfort in mind. We need to navigate the hilly area using the smaller buses. So there is a plan to possibly break the journey into two parts but nothing final yet,” the official told TOI.
He added that if air travel remains unavailable, teams might commence their journey immediately after the May 8 match, potentially using the nearest railway station two hours from the stadium. “Players’ comfort is of utmost importance. We can’t burn them out with travel,” the official emphasized.
