The Indian military services will be honored at the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 closing ceremony. The celebration is expected to include a musical ceremony after a performance by the military bands, which will heighten the patriotic spirit.

The chief of defense staff, along with the chiefs of army, navy, and air service, has been invited by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to attend the ceremony on June 3 at Narendra Modi Stadium.

“The Board salutes the bravery, courage, and selfless service of our armed forces, whose heroic efforts under Operation Sindoor continue to protect and inspire the nation. As a tribute, we have decided to dedicate the closing ceremony to the armed forces,” the BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia told Sportstar.

The BCCI has been honoring the armed personnel for their unwavering bravery in defending the country ever since the IPL returned after a week-long break due to Operation Sindoor.

Messages like "Thank you, armed forces" were also shown on the enormous displays while players sang the national anthem together before the game began at several locations.

The BCCI anticipates the closing ceremony to be a huge success, with over a lakh people and several dignitaries present at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

“While cricket remains a national passion, there is nothing greater than the nation and its sovereignty, integrity, and security of our country,” Saikia said.

This is not the first time that the IPL has had a ceremony honoring the military troops. In the wake of the Pulwama terror attack, which claimed the lives of 44 CRPF soldiers, the BCCI promised to provide Rs. 20 crore for the welfare of the armed forces and invited the military band to the tournament's opening ceremony in Chennai back in 2019.