In a rare and perplexing development during the IPL 2025 season, the Indian Premier League (IPL) has removed the statistics and highlights of the May 8 match between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Delhi Capitals (DC), which was abandoned due to security concerns in Dharamshala. The match is now scheduled to be replayed on May 24 in Jaipur, but the interim actions by the IPL have left fans and statisticians alike confused and questioning the integrity of record-keeping within the tournament.

The original match saw a blistering opening stand between Prabhsimran Singh (50 off 28)* and Priyansh Arya (70 off 34). The two amassed 122 runs for the first wicket, a notable achievement in any T20 format. T Natarajan managed to dismiss Arya, and the match also marked the T20 debut of Madhav Tiwari, a rising star from Madhya Pradesh. However, with the entire match now erased from official IPL statistics, none of these performances are reflected on the tournament’s website or scoreboards.

Why Were the Stats Removed?

The match was abandoned mid-way for security-related reasons, and while such incidents are rare, they aren’t entirely unprecedented in cricket. However, what followed next has made headlines: the IPL removed all match-related data from its official portal, including player statistics, videos, and performance summaries.

This led to immediate confusion, especially regarding players like Prabhsimran Singh, whose season run tally was affected. Before the Dharamshala match, he had accumulated 437 runs, and his unbeaten 50 lifted that total to 487. However, with the deletion of the match data, his official total reverted to 437. This discrepancy could prove to be significant in the race for the Orange Cap, especially if Prabhsimran ends up falling short of the top run-getter spot by a narrow margin.

This move also raises questions about transparency and fairness. Including the 50 would have meant Prabhsimran played 15 innings, while other batters may only have played 14, giving him a statistical edge. Excluding it entirely, however, could be seen as discounting a valid performance, especially since the match was abandoned after significant play had occurred.

What Happens to Madhav Tiwari’s Debut?

Another layer of complexity surrounds Madhav Tiwari, who was awarded his debut cap during the now-erased match. The question arises: Does this match count as his T20 debut? Traditionally, once a player is officially capped and takes the field, their debut is registered. But with this match now removed from official IPL records, there is ambiguity over whether Tiwari will still be considered uncapped in T20s.

There has been no official clarification from the IPL or the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on this matter. The uncertainty has also prevented record-keeping portals and statisticians from updating their archives definitively. In cricket, debut caps and career starts hold immense emotional and historical value, and this grey area may prove disappointing for the young player and his supporters.

Statistical Confusion Across Platforms

The rollback of match data has created inconsistencies across cricket portals and databases. For instance, while ESPNcricinfo and other third-party platforms have temporarily removed the Dharamshala match from their match logs, the Association of Cricket Statisticians & Historians (ACSH) has yet to officially comment on how these stats will be recognized in the long term.

A similar precedent exists in the form of the 2002 ICC Champions Trophy Final, where India and Sri Lanka played two days of interrupted cricket due to rain. While official records from the International Cricket Council (ICC) omit these incomplete games, many independent cricket portals continue to list individual performances from both days, acknowledging them as part of cricket history.

Implications for IPL 2025

The IPL’s decision not only affects individual players but may also impact team strategies, fan engagement, and the authenticity of historical records. In a tournament where every run, wicket, and appearance carries weight, such stat erasures can be contentious.

Should Prabhsimran Singh miss the Orange Cap by less than 50 runs, there may be significant backlash from both fans and analysts. Moreover, if Priyansh Arya continues to perform but misses out on performance bonuses, milestones, or national team consideration due to the missing 70-run knock, questions about IPL’s accountability may grow louder.

The IPL must now clarify whether:

• The May 8 performances will be considered in overall career statistics but not in IPL 2025 season stats.

• Debuts made during the match will be retained or annulled.

• Future precedent for similar match abandonments will follow the same template.

Looking Ahead

The replayed PBKS vs DC match on May 24 offers both teams a fresh start, but the shadow of the Dharamshala controversy will linger. For Prabhsimran, Arya, and Tiwari, it’s an unfortunate case of statistical limbo. For fans, it’s a reminder that behind the entertainment, cricket remains deeply rooted in records, fairness, and clarity.

The IPL governing body must act swiftly to issue official guidelines not only for this particular instance but also to set a precedent for future matches that may be affected by abandonment after partial play.

As the tournament nears its climax, one can only hope that on-field performances are what dictate outcomes, not statistical ambiguity or administrative opacity. Until then, the fate of a few remarkable individual performances hangs in the balance — wiped from digital memory but not from the hearts of cricket fans.

The Upcoming IPOs in this week and coming weeks are Victory Electric Vehicles International, Borana Weaves, Dar Credit and Capital,Belrise Industries, Wagons Learning.

The Current active IPO are Accretion Pharmaceuticals, Integrity Infrabuild Developers.

Start your Stock Market Journey and Apply in IPO by Opening Free Demat Account in Choice Broking FinX.

Join our Trading with CA Abhay Telegram Channel for regular Stock Market Trading and Investment Calls by CA Abhay Varn - SEBI Registered Research Analyst.