Watch: Shankar Mahadevan's emotional tribute to Indian Armed Forces sets heartfelt tone at IPL 2025 final
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 final between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) opened on a powerful note at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, where a packed crowd witnessed a deeply emotional tribute to the Indian Armed Forces. The evening began with a special performance by renowned singer and composer Shankar Mahadevan, who took the stage as part of the opening ceremony. His medley of patriotic songs struck a chord with the audience, setting a heartfelt tone ahead of the much-anticipated match.
This final comes after a dramatic season where the tournament was briefly suspended due to Indo-Pak tensions, making this tribute all the more meaningful for players and fans alike.
Shankar Mahadevan and sons deliver moving musical tribute.
In one of the most memorable moments of the night, Shankar Mahadevan was joined on stage by his sons, Siddharth and Shivam Mahadevan, turning the performance into a touching family tribute.
His emotional rendition of "Ae Watan" from the movie Raazi especially resonated with fans in the stands. The powerful musical homage that had the stadium applauding and many were visibly moved.
SHANKAR MAHADEVAN IN NARENDRA MODI STADIUM 🏟️ ATTRIBUTE TO INDIAN ARMED FORCE 🇮🇳#RCBvPBKS pic.twitter.com/GYCbmMgzuY
Their performance was backed by a group of dancers who wore costumes inspired by the Indian military, adding visual depth to the emotions in the music. The crowd, many waving the national flag, soaked in the tribute with deep respect.
Fantastic emotional tribute to armed forces @ ipl final event at narendra modi stedium by Shankar Mahadevan and sons ,shidharath and shivam mahadevan!#shankar mahadevan # emotional # music# armed forces # ipl# final pic.twitter.com/NDYoMpbSHg
Before the performance, Harsha Bhogle gave a short address, saluting the soldiers' courage and sacrifice, which set the perfect lead-in to the musical moment.
Operation Sindoor and the IPL's ongoing tributes
This season, the IPL has made it a point to recognise the contribution of India's Armed Forces throughout the tournament. The final tribute also reflected the national mood following Operation Sindoor, a recent high-level military operation conducted at the border that drew widespread public attention and praise.
Several matches in the season featured symbolic gestures, video tributes, and shout-outs to the armed forces. The final ceremony brought all these efforts together in one unified moment, showing how sport can become a platform to celebrate the spirit of service and sacrifice beyond the field.
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