Jay Shah in the stands with family during high-voltage IPL 2025 final

NEW DELHI: ICC Chairman Jay Shah was among the high-profile attendees at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Tuesday, as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) faced off against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the IPL 2025 final.

Shah was joined by his wife, daughter, and mother to witness the much-anticipated title clash.Ahead of the blockbuster finale, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) hosted a special ceremony to honour the Indian Armed Forces. The event featured a patriotic musical performance headlined by renowned singer-composer Shankar Mahadevan, alongside his sons Siddharth and Shivam. Songs like ‘Ae Watan’, ‘Vande Mataram’, and ‘Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani’ echoed through the stadium, stirring the crowd.

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The tribute came in the backdrop of Operation Sindoor, India’s military retaliation against terror camps in Pakistan following the deadly Pahalgam attack that claimed 26 lives.Adding to the emotional scenes, helicopters bearing the flags of the Army, Navy, and Air Force flew over the stadium as a massive crowd roared with applause. Chants of ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ filled the air as fans stood to acknowledge the nation’s armed forces.

The IPL 2025 season had earlier been paused for a week due to rising tensions between India and Pakistan. Following a ceasefire agreement between the two nations, the tournament resumed with a revised schedule, pushing the final from its original May 26 date to June 3.Since resumption, the BCCI has consistently shown solidarity with the armed forces. The national anthem has been played before every match, and giant screens in the stadiums have prominently displayed ‘Thank You, Armed Forces’ messages.The summit clash sees both RCB and PBKS hunting for their maiden IPL crown. Bengaluru booked their spot in the final with a dominant win over Punjab in Qualifier 1, while the Shreyas Iyer-led PBKS bounced back to beat five-time champions Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2.With the trophy on the line, one team will finally end its long-standing wait for IPL glory.