Alyssa Healy Recalls Chaotic Night During IPL 2025 Blackout in Dharamsala

Match Between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals Halted
Alyssa Healy, the captain of the Australia Women’s cricket team and wife of fast bowler Mitchell Starc, recently shared her perspective on the unexpected events that unfolded during an IPL 2025 match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala. The match was interrupted at 10.1 overs, with Punjab Kings comfortably positioned at 122 for 1, when a floodlight failure occurred. This incident led to a series of outages across other light towers, prompting officials to evacuate the players from the field. Amid the growing confusion, IPL chairman Arun Dhumal was seen managing the crowd, urging spectators to exit the venue calmly as a blackout enveloped Dharamsala.
Healy Describes the Blackout Experience
Reflecting on the surreal situation, Healy recounted, "It was quite an unusual experience. Suddenly, several light towers went dark, and we were left waiting in the stands. Our group, which included family and support staff, was taken aback when the person responsible for coordinating us approached with a pale face," during her appearance on The Willow Talk Podcast.
Emergency Evacuation Triggered by Drone Alerts
Healy, who was seated with family members of Delhi Capitals players, realized something was amiss when she reached the dressing room and noticed Faf du Plessis without his shoes. Concerned, she turned to her husband Mitchell Starc for clarification. He informed her of drone sightings in the vicinity and the activation of air-raid sirens nearby.
Confusion and Urgency Amidst the Crisis
Starc urged immediate action, stating, 'We need to leave right now.' Another individual, visibly shaken, rushed in with a child, insisting on a swift exit. Healy expressed her frustration, saying, 'We weren’t informed about anything. We were completely in the dark.' Soon, they found themselves in a cramped holding area with other players, including du Plessis, who was still barefoot. Healy recounted how they were quickly ushered into vans for evacuation, as the stadium lights had gone out due to a missile strike on a town 60 kilometers away, making the stadium a beacon in the darkness.
Anxiety During the Evacuation
Healy described the tense atmosphere as they traveled southwest towards the Pakistan border, noting, 'It was somewhat frightening. Mitch and I have played too much Call of Duty, and we noticed surface-to-air missile sites ready for action.' They witnessed a local setting off fireworks, which startled everyone at lunch. 'I hope it was a wedding celebration, but the timing was unfortunate,' she added, reflecting on the anxiety of the situation while feeling somewhat safe from immediate danger.
Organized Evacuation Under Security
The situation escalated into a comprehensive security operation, with players, their families, support staff, and journalists being evacuated from Dharamsala in a systematic manner. The evacuation route led them to Hoshiarpur and subsequently to Jalandhar railway station, where further transportation arrangements were in place.