Defence forces chiefs may not attend the IPL final, media report says

The Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) plans to make Operation Sindoor a part of the celebrations on the final night of IPL 2025 on 3 June may be scaled down somewhat, according to media reports.

Earlier this week, the BCCI secretary Devojit Saikia had confirmed that they had invited the three services chiefs to attend the final in Ahmedabad while the board were planning to make arrangements for  1,000 soldiers, army officers and their families to watch the match from reserved seats inside the stadium.

However, Dainik Bhaskar, a leading regional daily has reported that Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi and Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh have apparently turned down the invitation.

“The Board salutes the bravery, courage and selfless service of our armed forces, whose heroic efforts under Operation Sindoor continue to protect and inspire the nation. As a tribute, we have decided to dedicate the closing ceremony to the armed forces,” Saikia had earlier told the media.

A senior official of the local organising committee said on conditions of anonymity on Saturday evening that they were yet to receive the final plans of the closing ceremony as part of the finale. ‘’We are expecting a final plan by late this evening or Sunday,’’ the official said – though there are only two days to go for the final on Tuesday.

Bollywood singer Shankar Mahadevan will now perform patriotic songs before the grand finale. Earlier, a military-themed event was planned but it’s now on way to be changed. The stadium will now be decorated with the Indian national flag in many places to celebrate the success of Operation Sindoor and honour the country.

Meanwhile, the air of anticipation among cricket fans has reached a fever pitch with the Qualifier 2 on Sunday (1 June) promising a cracker of a contest between Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings. The winner will take on Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bangalore for the title on 3 June.

Gujarat Titans, which had won the title in their debut season in 2022 in front of their home crowd, exited the play-offs when they were beaten by 20 runs by five-time champions Mumbai Indians.