The travel plans of Mumbai Indians have been hit owing to the closure of airports in and around 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, MI will be impacted.
DC, MI stranded due to Operation Sindoor
As per 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 11 but now face 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 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.
Operation Sindoor, conducted by the Indian Armed Forces, targeted 9 locations harbouring terrorists in 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.
It remains to be seen if the location for the game against MI will be shifted to another venue, given the situaton. Meanwhile, DC will have to travel back to Delhi by May 11 for their clash against GT.
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