Ahmedabad: In the wake of successful ‘Operation Sindoor’, patriotic fervour marked the closing ceremony of 18th edition of IPL T-20 cricket tournament, at Narendra Modi Stadium here yesterday.

The Board of Control for Cricket India (BCCI) had dedicated the valedictory of IPL 18th edition to the Indian Defence forces, paying due tributes to the heroes of Operation Sindoor.

Renowned singer Shankar Mahadevan and his children Shivam and Siddharth Mahadevan, accompanied by another notable singer Shreya Ghoshal’s troupe, rendered patriotic songs, in the ceremony that lasted 45-minutes, casting a spell on the spectators.

Shivam and Siddarth Mahadevan, the talented singers from the stable of Shankar Mahadevan, belted out the hit number-Jai Ho, followed by ever popular patriotic songs like- Vande Mataram and Ae Watan Mere Watan. The audience reciprocated in their own way, waving the tri-colour by rising from their seats as a mark of respect.

Air Show by Indian Air Force (IAF) comprising acrobatics and metal birds stole the show leaving the packed stadium stunned, before the final cricketing action began.

Earlier, Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi and Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh were invited to the podium with full military honours. The performance of Military Band added to the musical evening.

It may be mentioned that, following the launch of Operation Sindoor by Indian Armed forces against Pakistan on May 7, in retaliation against terrorists attack on tourists in Pahalgam in Kashmir on Apr. 22, that had claimed 26 lives, the IPL matches had been suspended for a week. As the normalcy was restored, following a call for ceasefire between India and Paksitan, the IPL matches were resumed from May 17.

In recognition of exemplary military action by Indian armed forces, BCCI had decided to host the victory celebration, during the IPL closing ceremony.