In a powerful moment ahead of Match 57 of the Indian Premier League 2025 between Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings, the national anthem was played at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, followed by a poignant display on the side screen that read, “Proud of the Indian Armed Forces.” The gesture was part of a symbolic tribute to the Indian military’s recent actions under Operation Sindoor, a strategic missile operation conducted earlier on Wednesday.The operation targeted multiple sites in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (Pok) in response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam which left 25 Indian and a Nepali tourist dead. India’s missile strikes reportedly hit nine locations, which New Delhi identified as launchpads and logistical bases for the group behind the Pahalgam attack. The homage at Eden Gardens served as a public salute to the armed forces amid this escalating geopolitical backdrop. It was a moment that transcended cricket, bringing together thousands in the stadium in a shared expression of national pride.
As the teams lined up for a match crucial to KKR’s playoff hopes, the evening also stood as a reminder of the sacrifices and responsibilities borne by those in uniform.KKR captain Ajnikya Rahane opted to bat first against CSK, a team already eliminated from playoff contention.
Kolkata Knight Riders
(Playing XI): Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Sunil Narine, Ajinkya Rahane(c), Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Manish Pandey, Andre Russell, Rinku Singh, Moeen Ali, Ramandeep Singh, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakaravarthy
Chennai Super Kings
(Playing XI): Ayush Mhatre, Urvil Patel, Devon Conway, Ravindra Jadeja, Dewald Brevis, MS Dhoni(w/c), Ravichandran Ashwin, Anshul Kamboj, Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed, Matheesha Pathirana
