Matthew Hayden accuses BCCI of his murder during IPL 2025
Australian former cricketer turned commentator Matthew Hayden has opened up on the spine-chilling experience when the PBKS vs DC match was stopped at Dharamshala owing to cross-border firing between India and Pakistan.
The IPL 2025 proceedings were briefly halted by the cross-border altercations between rival nations India and Pakistan, and several overseas players, as well as commentators, witnessed the incident that led to a warlike outrage.
The suspension of the match between the Delhi Capitals and the Punjab Kings after 10.1 overs being bowled in Dharamshala was proof of how serious the conditions were during that time. The Indian air was spotted with drones, and further continuation of the game could have been a threat to the lives of cricket players.
Matthew Hayden recites the spine-chilling experience from the Dharamshala
Over the months since the incident, several players who were witnesses to the incident have opined on what the incident was like. Earlier, Mitchell Starc's wife, Alyssa Healy, had made a few remarks on the incident, and now Matthew Hayden joins the list.
"It was at the time that coincided with the incursion of Pakistan back into India, and we were talking drones navigating across the skies, taking out ground-to-air missiles, and it was just eerie. We had to take a car via Chandigarh up to Dharamsala. That’s an 11 and a half, 12-hour drive. By the time we reached the venue, we were told the game was about to proceed,” revealed Matthew Hayden on the All Over Bar The Cricket podcast.
The first sign of something unusual was the lights going out, which looked like a technical error initially, but eventually the whole stadium went dark, and reports emerged of the venue being evacuated due to a threat of a drone strike.
Matthew Hayden revealed that the commentators were told before the match that the lights going out would not be a technical issue. “But half an hour before we went on air we were given a security message that if the light towers were to to go out, it’s not a technical issue. It’s actually a sign that the venue has been compromised and there will be an emergency evacuation response and we will proceed.”
“I was mid-sentence with my usual garbage on air, and the first light tower goes out, so I’ve let the spectators and fans know that it has gone out. Then the second goes almost immediately. The next minute, security came in like a blanket. Dropped my mic literally mid-sentence, and we were ushered out of the ground,” even Matthew Hayden had fear in his vocals.
India vs Pakistan tensions caused a hindrance in the Asia Cup 2025
The India vs Pakistan rivalry is raging. The political battle had a huge toll on the cricket relations between the two nations, as the two cricket boards, BCCI and the PCB, also engaged in a tussle. Under the scenario, what could have been jeopardised was the Asia Cup 2025.
India was named the official host for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025; however, the government or the BCCI did not intend to feature against Pakistan in any game as of now. The two teams have not played bilaterals for more than a decade; hence, ruling out ACC and ICC tournaments would be a complete boycott.
However, the Asian Cricket Council, now headed by the PCB chief, eventually convinced the BCCI to hold the Asia Cup 2025, and also, as per the broadcasters' request, they have placed India and Pakistan in the same group, with their match scheduled on the 14th of September. Likely, the BCCI also had to agree to the plans based on certain obligations they have with plans in sight.
ALSO READ: Watch: Kumar Dharmasena threatens to ban KL Rahul after Joe Root-Prasidh Krishna fight in Oval Test
India Champions denied playing Pakistan in the aftermath of the Pahalgam Attacks
The India Champions, a team that features retired Indian veterans in the World Championship of Legends, a private tournament held in England, had denied playing against the Pakistan Champions in a group match between the two, as several players withdrew their names from the contest owing to their denial of a game against a nation held responsible for the attack on their innocent citizens.
Shikhar Dhawan was among the major names, while India Champions next denied facing Pakistan in the semi-finals as well and instead gave the team a walkover, despite being the defending champions of the competition.
The former players have hence gathered immense love and respect from several Indian fans who consider the decision to be right under all aspects.
