BCCI to honour Op Sindoor heroes at IPL final; Service chiefs invited

New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has extended invitations to the chiefs of all three branches of the Indian Armed Forces to attend the Indian Premier League (IPL) final scheduled for June 3 in Ahmedabad. The closing ceremony of the event will feature a special tribute to the armed forces for their “heroic efforts” during Operation Sindoor.

BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia announced the move in a media statement on Tuesday, highlighting the board’s intent to honour the bravery and sacrifice of the armed forces. “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,” Saikia told PTI.

He emphasised that the BCCI salutes the “bravery, courage, and selfless service” of the nation’s defenders, lauding their “heroic efforts under Operation Sindoor” that both protected and inspired the country. “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 the sovereignty, integrity, and security of our country,” he said.

Currently, General Upendra Dwivedi serves as the Chief of Army Staff, Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi is the Chief of Naval Staff, and Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh leads the Indian Air Force.

Operation Sindoor was launched in the aftermath of the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, where 26 people—mostly tourists—were killed by Pakistan-backed terrorists. The attack prompted a swift and decisive military response from India, resulting in a brief showdown between the two countries before India agreed to pause operations following a request from Pakistan for a ceasefire.

With PTI inputs