Despite plans to pay tribute to the Indian Armed Forces during the IPL 2025 final, none of the three service chiefs will be in attendance at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on June 3. The BCCI had extended official invitations to the Army, Navy, and Air Force Chiefs just three days before the final. However, NDTV has reported that all three service chiefs will not be present at the game. The reason for their declining of the invitation remains unknown.
This absence marks a quiet note in what was intended to be an emotional show of national appreciation.
IPL final to honor Operation Sindoor and Pahalgam terror attack victims
The IPL 2025 final was designed to carry a strong message of solidarity, with the BCCI and IPL Governing Council dedicating the event to the armed forces following Operation Sindoor—the military response to the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir that left 26 civilians dead.
The match was intended as the culminating tribute, capping off a series of gestures made during the tournament’s second phase.
IPL suspended and rescheduled after cross-border tensions
Earlier this month, the IPL season was briefly suspended for a week due to rising military tensions between India and Pakistan in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack. Cross-border action along the Line of Control and in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir led to the temporary halt.
The tournament resumed once a ceasefire agreement was reached between the two nations, though the disruption forced a reshuffle in fixtures. The final, originally planned for May 26, was moved to June 3, with the remainder of the matches staged across six designated venues.
League restart marked by patriotic gestures
Since resuming, the IPL has incorporated visible tributes to the armed forces across venues. At every match since the restart, the national anthem has been played before the first ball, and ‘Thank You, Armed Forces’ messages have been prominently displayed on the giant screens inside stadiums.
Though the service chiefs will be absent, these gestures are expected to continue at the final.
Bengaluru to face Punjab in high-stakes IPL 2025 final
On the pitch, Royal Challengers Bengaluru will take on Punjab Kings in the IPL 2025 final. Punjab secured their place in the title clash by defeating Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2, setting up a much-anticipated showdown with Bengaluru.
Despite the absence of military leadership in the stands, the final will go ahead as a high-stakes, emotionally charged finale—blending cricketing drama with a national tribute.
