The IPL 2025 final will be held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Tuesday. The closing ceremony will feature the theme ‘Operation Sindur’, as a tribute to the valor of India’s armed forces. While the participation of the three service chiefs — Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, and Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh — is anticipated, their attendance is yet to be officially confirmed.
The stadium will be illuminated in tricolor lighting, and the evening will feature a live concert by renowned singer Shankar Mahadevan.
BCCI Secretary Devjit Saikia said:
“To celebrate the success of Operation SindOOr, we have invited Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, and Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, along with other officers and jawans, to attend the IPL final in Ahmedabad.”
He added that the closing ceremony is dedicated to India’s armed forces, recognizing their unmatched courage and sacrifice:
“The BCCI salutes the bravery, courage, and selfless service of the armed forces. As a symbol of our gratitude, we are dedicating the IPL closing ceremony to honor our national heroes. Cricket may be a national passion, but nothing stands above the sovereignty, integrity, and security of our nation.”
IPL Interrupted by Conflict; BCCI Responded with Tribute
Earlier in the tournament, the Punjab vs. Delhi match in Dharamshala on May 8 was suspended midway due to Pakistani drone strikes. The BCCI subsequently paused the IPL for a week. Following a ceasefire announcement, the board released the schedule for the remaining 16 matches.
Since Operation Sindoor, the BCCI has consistently paid homage to the armed forces. The national anthem was played before most of the remaining matches, and large screens in stadiums displayed messages such as “Thank you, Armed Forces.” This marked a significant shift, as the national anthem was not traditionally a part of IPL games.
Ness Wadia, co-owner of Kings XI Punjab, had earlier advocated for the inclusion of the national anthem before IPL matches. He even wrote to the BCCI supporting the proposal.
The military operation was launched in response to a brutal terrorist attack in Baisaran Valley, Pahalgam (Kashmir) on April 22. Around 2 p.m., a group of over 40 tourists from various states was present in the scenic valley. Suddenly, two armed men emerged from the nearby forest. After asking a tourist his name and identifying him as non-Muslim, one of the attackers shot him in the head. The gunmen continued firing for nearly 10 minutes, leaving panic and devastation in their wake.
By 11 p.m., the death toll had risen to 27, marking one of the deadliest civilian attacks in recent times.