Ahmedabad: The final match of the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to take place on June 3 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced on Tuesday that the closing ceremony of the tournament will be dedicated to honouring the Indian Armed Forces for their role in the recent Operation Sindoor.
As part of this tribute, the BCCI has invited the heads of the Army, Navy, and Air Force to attend the grand finale. The 45-minute ceremony prior to the match will pay homage to the courage and sacrifice of the military, with patriotic music and dedicated stadium sections for armed forces personnel.
“The theme is to honour our heroes of Operation Sindoor,” said IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal. “We have invited all three service chiefs of the Indian Armed Forces to attend the IPL final on June 3 in Ahmedabad,” he said, confirming the development.
Operation Sindoor was launched in response to a terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians. The final match has been dedicated to the memory of the victims and the valour of those who took part in the operation.
The BCCI has officially extended invitations to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Chief of Naval Staff, and Chief of Air Staff for the occasion. Select stands in the stadium will also be dedicated for armed forces members as a mark of respect.
Earlier this month, the IPL season was paused for a week amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam attack. Military operations across the Line of Control and in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir led to the temporary suspension of matches.
Since the tournament’s resumption, the BCCI has taken steps to honour the armed forces at every game. The national anthem has been played before the start of each match, and stadium screens have prominently displayed messages reading “Thank You, Armed Forces.”
Speaking on BCCI’s decision, Gambhir told the media, “It is an unbelievable step…BCCI has taken a great initiative from a point of view where the entire nation is one and the nation has to salute the armed forces…I give a lot of credit to BCCI and the Armed Forces, who have been unconditionally helping, saving and protecting us.”