World Cup Final: Ahmedabad Modi Stadium Turns Blue for Ind vs Aus; IAF Fly-past Stuns Spectators

The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 final between India and Australia, which is taking place at the colossal Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, is turning out to be an extravagant affair. The highly anticipated match echos India and Australia’s epic 2003 showdown, with ‘Men in Blue’ playing to rewrite history by trying to win their third World Cup title.

Dignitaries including India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles will be watching the World Cup final match at the renowned stadium with a seating capacity of 132,000 spectators. Follow India vs Aus World Cup Match LIVE Updates

Dignitaries Expected In Stadium

Apart from PM Modi, Marles, and who is who of the entertainment industry, Central Government Ministers and Chief Ministers of other states are also expected to come to Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium to watch this final match.

Union Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Anurag Singh Thakur, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nisith Pramanik, Supreme Court Justice Rajesh Bindal (Former CJ of the Allahabad HC), Former Chief Justice of India Uday Umesh Lalit, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, Meghalaya Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh, US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti, and UAE Ambassador to India Abdulnasser Alshaali among others are likely to be seen in stands during the epic showdown, according to sources.

Actors Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, Vivek Oberoi and singer Asha Bhosle were among celebrities who flew to Ahmedabad for the match.

Grand Air Show

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has also released a full list of events and celebrities that would grace the Men’s World Cup Final match, which included a grand air show by the Indian Air Force. The 10 minute airshow by the Surya Kiran Aerobatic team of the Indian Air Force took place after the toss at 1:30 pm IST. Australia won the toss and chose to ball first.

For the first time ever, 9 hawk from Surya Kiran Team put up an an enthralling acrobatic display over the Narendra Modi Stadium – in synch with music that pays tribute to the New India.

Kapil Dev and Dhoni In Stand

Two former World Cup-winning captains– Kapil Dev and Mahendra Singh Dhoni– will also be present in the stadium, among the ‘Ocean of Blue’ of Indian spectators, anticipating a repeat of 1983 and 2011 results. Former Australian Captain Ricky Ponting and England’s Eoin Morgan are also in India as part of the commentary team and are expected to be present in stands for the finals.

Musical Extravaganza

Around 1.3 lakh spectators present at the stadium are in for a visual treat with with music composer Pritam, singers Jonita Gandhi, Tushar Joshi, Akasa Joshi, Nakash Aziz, and Amit Mishra set to perform at innings break of the match. Coke Studio’s Gujarati fame Aditya Gadhavi of ‘Gotilo’ fame is also scheduled to perform during the first innings drinks break.

As many as 500 background dancers from Mumbai are also expected to perform during the musical performances.

Visual Countdown

A spectacle of a unique visual countdown would be displayed, where the entire roof of the stadium would be used as a canvas along with an internationally

programmed lights and laser show. during the second innings drink break. The  laser modulation would be programmed by LM Productions, all the way from UK.

Crowning Of The Champions

A first in any sporting event, BCCI plans to ‘crown’ the champions from ‘The SKY’. As many as 1200 drones will form the first ever aerial champions board in the night sky, which will be followed by a mesmerising fireworks display.

Traffic Diversions

In anticipation of a huge gatherings for the final match, the Ahmedabad police has issued a traffic advisory imposing vehicular restrictions from Mansi Circle to Keshavbaugh T junction in the city.

As per a report by Times of India, the ban will come into effect half-an-hour before the team leaves ITC Narmada Hotel and resumes 30 minutes after their return following the match.

The advisory mentioned alternative routes for commuters during the specified hours. During those specific hours, only vehicles associated with the teams and matches, and emergency and essential service vehicles including fire brigade, and ambulances will be allowed on the closed road.

Police has already announced traffic diversions for cricket matches at the Narendra Modi Stadium during the World Cup. Those diversions will automatically come into effect from 11 am today until 2 am tomorrow.

Stretches, including Janpath T Junction to Motera metro station’s main gate, will remain closed. Commuters are advised to follow alternative routes provided by the traffic department.

Airspace to close for 45 mins

Anticipating a rush of passengers coming to the city for World Cup cricket final, he Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International (SVPI) airport in Ahmedabad has issued an advisory asking passengers to report early for their flights.

The airport authorities have also announced that the airspace will remain closed for 45 minutes today– between 1.25pm and 2.10pm– for the airshow by the Indian Air Force.

Security Upped

As many as 6,000 police personnel will be deployed for cricket match final. Out Of these 6,000 personnel, nearly 3,000 will be stationed inside the stadium, while others will be deployed to guard other key locations, such as hotels where players and other dignitaries are staying.

Four senior IPS officials of IG and DIG rank along with 23 deputy commissioner of police rank officials will supervise and guide the personnel on the match day.

They will be assisted by 39 assistant commissioners of police and 92 police inspectors. As many as 10 teams of bomb detection and disposal squad along with two teams of Chetak Commandos, an elite unit, will be stationed near the stadium.

Prayers Across Country

While countrymen have full confidence in ‘Men in Blue’ to lift the trophy, they sought the addition help from faith to help team India win the finals. Bhasma Aarti was performed in Ujjain Mahakal temple for India’s victory in the ICC World Cup final match against Australia.

In Uttar Pradesh, prayers were offered in Indian pacer Mohammed Shami’s village in Amroha for team India’s victory. Fans also visit Sabarimala temple to offer prayers for the victory.

Members of Shivadnya Pratishthan played traditional Maharashtrian Dhol in Nagpur to cheer up team India.

Delhi police also wished the Indian team with a pun intended special message, and said, “India, you already know what to do!”

Leaders Extend Wishes To Team India

Prime Minister Modi, along with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi wished best of luck to Team India ahead of the match.

“All the best Team India! 140 crore Indians are cheering for you. May you shine bright, play well, and uphold the spirit of sportsmanship,” PM Modi said in a post on the microblogging site X (formally Twitter).

“Best wishes to the boys in blue for the Cricket World Cup Final. #INDvAUS. Play fearlessly – more than a billion hearts beat for you ❤️ Let’s bring it home Jeetega INDIA! ,” Rahul Gandhi wrote in a post in X.