As the Indian Premier League (IPL) prepares for its dramatic return on May 17, Australia’s women’s cricket captain Alyssa Healy has shed light on a chilling incident that unfolded during her time in Dharamsala. With cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan boiling over into missile strikes near the cricketing hub, Healy found herself caught in the chaos, recounting what she described as a “surreal” and “terrifying” experience.
The unsettling turn of events took place on May 8, during an IPL fixture between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals. The match was suddenly halted in the 11th over when lights at the stadium failed. Soon after, panic set in as reports of missile attacks in Pathankot — approximately 90km from Dharamshala — emerged. Despite the immediate danger, players and their families were initially left in the dark about the true nature of the emergency.
In a revealing conversation, Healy painted a vivid picture of the fear and uncertainty that gripped the stadium. Describing the first signs of trouble, she said, “It was a surreal experience. All of a sudden, a couple of the light towers went out (during the game) and we were just sitting there up the top (of the stadium) waiting … we’re a large group of family and extra support staff and the next minute the guy who wrangles the group of us and gets us on the bus came up and his face was white. He was like, ‘We need to go right now.’”
As the situation rapidly deteriorated, the urgency of the evacuation became evident. What was supposed to be just another evening at the cricket turned into a desperate scramble for safety.
Recalling the intensity of the moment, Healy added, “Then (another) guy came out and his face was white, and he grabbed one of the children and said, ‘We need to leave right now.’ We were like, ‘What’s going on?’ We weren’t told anything. We had no idea. Next minute we are down being shuffled into this room which was like a holding pen. All the boys were in there. Faf (South African star Faf du Plessis) didn’t even have shoes on. We were all just waiting there looking stressed.”
With airports in the area closed due to its proximity to the Pakistan border, a quick exit was no longer an option. An overnight stay was arranged as authorities deemed it too dangerous to travel in the dark. The next morning, the group embarked on a grueling journey through rural India that only deepened Healy’s unease.
Reflecting on the 12-hour escape via bus and train, Healy recalled the unease of traveling through militarized zones and spotting surface-to-air missile systems — a sight that left a lasting impression on the cricketer and her husband, Mitchell Starc.
“We ended up going southwest towards the border which was a little bit terrifying,” Healy told. “Mitch and I have played too much Call of Duty and we’re noticing all the SAM (surface to air missile) sites that were just sitting there ready to go. They’re radar-operated systems that shoot missiles at aircraft. (We saw) a few of them on the way in some small towns.”
The IPL, which had been suspended the morning after the Pathankot attack, is set to resume after a ceasefire was reached between India and Pakistan. However, the situation has raised fresh concerns around player safety, particularly for overseas stars and their families.
Adding to the distressing atmosphere was another incident that took place at the team hotel, where a seemingly innocent celebration further heightened tensions. As the team tried to settle for a meal the following day, unexpected sounds set nerves on edge.
“There was madness,” Healy recalled of that night. “We were having lunch at the hotel the next day and someone let off firecrackers nearby. That did not go down well.”
While this nerve-wracking experience may have been the most politically charged challenge Healy has faced, it certainly wasn’t the only adversity she has tackled in recent times.
Australian skipper Alyssa Healy has endured a tough year with injuries. A ruptured plantar fascia during the 2024 T20 World Cup sidelined her for the knockout stage, followed by a knee injury in the WBBL that ruled her out of the rest of the domestic season and an ODI series against India. She returned as a specialist batter for Australia’s ODIs against New Zealand and later resumed wicketkeeping during the Ashes. However, ongoing fitness issues kept her out of the third edition of the Women’s Premier League.
Through it all, Healy has remained one of the game’s fiercest competitors. Her record across formats speaks volumes — 489 runs in 10 Tests with a high score of 99, 3,198 runs in 115 ODIs including a career-best 170, and 3,054 runs in 162 T20Is, highlighted by a blazing unbeaten 148. Her aggressive approach and steely mindset have earned her a revered place in Australian cricket.
And while Healy is now back on home soil, safe and recovering, her account serves as a sobering reminder of the real-world dangers that can intersect with the world of professional sport — even on the glittering stage of the IPL.
(Quotes sourced from The Willow Talk podcast)
