The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially invited the chiefs of all three branches of the Indian Armed Forces to attend the Indian Premier League (IPL) final on June 3 in Ahmedabad. The grand closing ceremony of the tournament will also feature a special tribute to honour the armed forces for their “heroic efforts” during the recent Operation Sindoor.
Devajit Saikia: “We Have Extended an Invitation…”
Announcing on Tuesday, May 27, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia issued a statement highlighting the board’s decision to honour India’s military forces at the upcoming final.
“We have extended an invitation to all Indian Armed Forces chiefs, top-ranked officers, and soldiers for the IPL final in Ahmedabad to celebrate the success of Operation Sindoor,” Mr. Saikia said.
He added that the BCCI deeply appreciates the military’s sacrifices and values their critical role in national security.
Operation Sindoor: A Tribute to Bravery and Sacrifice
Operation Sindoor was launched in response to the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, where 26 individuals—mostly tourists—lost their lives in a brutal assault carried out by Pakistan-backed terrorists. The operation marked a swift and powerful retaliatory move by Indian forces, leading to a brief military standoff between India and Pakistan. The confrontation came to a pause after Pakistan formally requested a ceasefire, which India accepted.
“Nothing Greater Than the Nation” – Saikia on Honouring the Armed Forces
Saikia emphasised that while cricket unites the nation, it is the bravery of the armed forces that protects it.
“As a tribute, we have decided to dedicate the closing ceremony to the armed forces and honour our heroes. While cricket remains a national passion, there is nothing greater than the nation and its sovereignty, integrity, and security of our country,” he stated.
India’s Military Leadership
The current chiefs of India’s defence forces include General Upendra Dwivedi as the Chief of Army Staff, Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi as the Chief of the Naval Staff, and Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh as the Chief of the Air Staff. All three have been invited to attend the IPL final, along with other senior officers and personnel, in a rare and symbolic celebration of India’s military strength and sacrifice.
IPL 2025 Final and Playoff Schedule
The IPL 2025 final is scheduled to take place on June 3 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The playoff matches leading up to the final are as follows:
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Qualifier 1: May 29
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Eliminator: May 30
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Qualifier 2: June 1
These matches will determine the two teams that will compete in the final. The specific teams participating will be decided based on the outcomes of these playoff matches.
Qualified Teams for IPL 2025 Playoffs
The four teams that have qualified for the IPL 2025 playoffs are:
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Punjab Kings (PBKS)
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Gujarat Titans (GT)
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Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
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Mumbai Indians (MI)
Punjab Kings secured a top-two finish after defeating Mumbai Indians in a crucial match held in Jaipur. As a result, Mumbai Indians settled at the fourth position and are set to play in the Eliminator on May 30 in Mullanpur. The final league match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Lucknow Super Giants will be decisive in finalising the playoff structure. Depending on the outcome, RCB or Gujarat Titans have the chance to secure the second spot alongside PBKS. This match will influence which teams play in Qualifier 1 and the Eliminator, affecting their paths to the IPL 2025 final.
With this gesture, the IPL final is expected to go beyond the boundaries of sport—becoming a moment to honour national pride and resilience on one of the country’s biggest stages.
About the Author
Arpit Sharma is a sports writer and journalism student at Chandigarh University, with a strong interest in sports analysis and storytelling. His writing combines match insights with a fresh, fan-first perspective that brings the game to life.
Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Vygr's views.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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