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Punjab Police are on high alert as the state’s high-profile city DLF Mullanpur is all set to host the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 Qualifier 1 and Eliminator on May 29 and 30 respectively. However, the match is unlikely to be affected by security reasons but following the Pahalgam attack on April 22 and the recent military conflict between India and Pakistan, Punjab Police have opted to stay vigilant for the proper conduct of the both marquee league games. India was set to conduct mock drills in several border states such as Gujarat, Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir, and Punjab on May 29 but later, it was revealed that they have postponed.
“There are two very important matches at Mullanpur stadium tomorrow and day after tomorrow. There is a qualifier and an eliminator. People are coming from all corners of India. There is a lot of enthusiasm among the people," Arpit Shukla, Special DGP (Law and Order), Punjab said. We have arranged for extensive security around the stadium and its periphery. Today, there is a review of it. Our police force is deployed around 65 Gazetted officers and more than 2,500 is deployed.”
He also added, “We will ensure that those who are coming do not face any kind of trouble. On the other hand, the security measures will be very strict. Yesterday, we had a rehearsal of the mock drill. Today also the police force is rehearsing the mock drill.”
PBKS and RCB to clash in Qualifier 1; MI and GT to contest in the do-or-die Eliminator
Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), who have never won any title in the IPL, will take on each other in Qualifier 1 to win the spot in the final to be played on June 3. Punjab have played one final (2014 edition) in their IPL history while RCB last qualified for the finals in 2016, when they lost the golden chance to lift the trophy with their defeat against the David Warner-led Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Both teams ended their league round with 19 points each earned through their nine victories respectively but Shreyas Iyer’s team held the superior net run rate than that of Challengers. Gujarat Titans (GT) and Mumbai Indians (MI) will square off against each other in Eliminator in Mullanpur on May 30.
