IPL Closing Ceremony to Honor 'Operation Sindoor': Shankar Mahadevan and Sons to Pay Tribute to Brave Soldiers, Stadium to Shine in Tricolor Light

This event is dedicated to the brave soldiers of India. In a heartfelt tribute to the valor of the Indian Armed Forces, the BCCI has designed the entire program with a patriotic spirit.

Ceremony Dedicated to Military Valor

Top officials from the Army, Air Force, and Navy have been invited to attend the event. However, their participation is yet to be officially confirmed. The entire stadium will be illuminated in the colors of the national flag, and every corner will resonate with patriotic fervor.

Special Performance by Shankar Mahadevan and Sons

Renowned singer Shankar Mahadevan, along with his sons Siddharth and Shivam Mahadevan, will perform live at the closing ceremony. Their performance is dedicated to the martyrs of ‘Operation Sindoor’, and will also pay tribute to the civilians who lost their lives in the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22.

Ceremony to Begin at 6 PM, 1.32 Lakh Spectators Expected

The event will commence at 6 PM. The Narendra Modi Stadium, spread across 63 acres, has a seating capacity of around 1.32 lakh. Of these, 25,000 seats have been reserved for the armed forces and team management. All remaining tickets have been sold out. The event will be broadcast live on Star Sports Network and Jio Cinema/Hotstar app.

BCCI Secretary: “A Tribute to the Armed Forces”

BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia stated that the closing ceremony is a salute to the courage, selfless service, and dedication of the armed forces. “While cricket may be a national passion, our national security and integrity are paramount. That is the spirit driving this ceremony,” he said.

Pahalgam Attack’s Impact on IPL

It’s noteworthy that the Punjab vs. Delhi match held on May 8 in Dharamshala was interrupted due to a Pakistani drone strike. Following the incident, the IPL was suspended for a week. The tournament resumed on May 17 after a ceasefire was declared.

'Operation Sindoor' Changed IPL Tradition

After Operation Sindoor, the following 16 matches saw the regular playing of the national anthem and stadium messages such as “Thank You, Armed Forces.” This was the first time in IPL history that the national anthem became a regular part of match ceremonies.

The Heart-Wrenching Pahalgam Incident

On April 22, terrorists attacked the Baisaran Valley in Pahalgam, Kashmir, shooting a tourist in the head after asking for identification. The gunfire, which lasted nearly 10 minutes, claimed 27 lives. This horrific event shocked the entire nation.