Alyssa Healy experienced a tense ordeal in Dharamsala, India, during the Indian Premier League (IPL) when her husband, Mitchell Starc’s match, was halted amidst escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. The match between Delhi and Punjab was abandoned after air raid alerts prompted immediate evacuation of players, staff, and fans, revealing that the earlier assumption of a power outage was actually due to blackout protocols triggered by regional tensions.
Following the match suspension announced on Friday, many Australian players and coaches, including Healy and Starc, returned to Sydney to ensure their safety. They were evacuated after the situation escalated; Healy recounted that players were hurriedly moved while still oblivious to the immediate danger, noting a chaotic environment as everyone was ushered into a secure area within the stadium.
The gravity of the situation became apparent when Healy learned that a nearby town had experienced missile strikes, resulting in a complete power blackout and the need for urgent evacuation from the stadium, often regarded as a safe venue. The group was initially slated to leave by bus that night, but this plan was dismissed when safety concerns arose, leading to a lengthy bus and train journey to Delhi the following day, which Healy labelled as terrifying.
As the IPL aimed to resume shortly after a confirmed ceasefire, foreign players began contemplating their return, with uncertainties surrounding their contractual obligations. Coach Ricky Ponting received acclaim for reassuring his Punjab players during this turbulent time, while Healy mentioned her need for assurances from the Australian government concerning the safety situation before considering a return. The process of evacuation highlighted significant anxiety among Australians due to the lack of information regarding the conflict, emphasising how close they were to the epicentre of the tensions.
At Sydney Airport, it was revealed that Starc may opt not to return to complete the tournament, illustrating the ongoing impact of the situation for the players involved.