Ahmedabad, March 8 (UNI) On evenings such as these, cricket reveals that it is far more than a sport. It becomes theatre, celebration and collective anticipation. The vast expanse of the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday offered precisely that setting as global pop icon Ricky Martin and Punjabi singer Sukhbir Singh lit up the closing ceremony ahead of the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 between the India national cricket team and the New Zealand national cricket team.
Ricky Martin’s arrival was greeted by a surge of sound that rolled through the stadium like a wave. As he performed his energetic hit ‘Shake Your Bon-Bon’, the vast crowd responded instinctively – rising to its feet, clapping to the rhythm and turning the arena into a vibrant mosaic of sound and colour.
If the tempo had already been set, Sukhbir ensured it climbed another notch. The Punjabi pop star launched into his celebrated anthem ‘Oh Ho Ho Ho’, and the response was immediate. Flags swayed, voices rose and thousands of spectators moved in unison, transforming the stadium into an immense celebration of music and cricket.
As dusk gently settled over Ahmedabad, the mood shifted from celebration to anticipation. Chants of “jeetega bhai jeetega, India world cup jeetega” rippled across the stands, echoing through the vast structure as excitement steadily intensified.
Fans had begun arriving hours earlier, determined to savour every moment of the occasion. Outside the stadium gates, the scene was awash in shades of blue – Indian jerseys, painted faces, fluttering tricolours and groups of supporters chanting in rhythmic bursts.
Many had travelled considerable distances to be part of the spectacle, arriving from places as varied as Kerala, Hyderabad and even overseas locations such as London.
Among them were groups of supporters from Kerala who had journeyed to Ahmedabad with particular enthusiasm for Indian players Sanju Samson and Varun Chakravarthy. Their presence reflected the belief among many fans that the pair could play decisive roles in India’s pursuit of the title.
There was also widespread optimism among those supporters that Samson, the elegant Kerala batter, might deliver a defining innings in the final.
Adding a spiritual dimension to the occasion, a devotee from Dwarka, Gujarat arrived carrying an idol of Bal Gopal Krishna, fulfilling a personal vow made when India progressed to the final – a gesture reflecting the faith and emotional investment surrounding the match.
Even the rising afternoon heat did little to slow the steady flow of supporters moving towards the stadium. Outside the gates, chants of “Jeetega bhai jeetega, India jeetega” continued to reverberate through the crowd.
Merchandise vendors also experienced brisk business as supporters purchased jerseys, caps, flags and souvenirs before making their way inside.
Security arrangements around the venue were extensive. According to G. S. Malik, Commissioner of the Ahmedabad Police, around 3,000 police personnel and 1,000 home guards had been deployed for the match.
For the first time during a game at the venue, holding areas were created near Gates 1 and 2 to regulate the flow of spectators and prevent overcrowding.
The excitement surrounding the final extended well beyond the stadium precincts. Airfares to Ahmedabad rose sharply on major routes, while Indian Railways introduced special trains to manage the surge of travelling supporters.
Hotel tariffs across the city also climbed steeply, with room rates rising by as much as 300 to 400 percent ahead of the much-anticipated India- New Zealand clash.
With the music fading and the floodlights illuminating the field, the scene was set for cricket’s grandest moment in the shortest format- a final charged with expectation, colour and the collective hopes of thousands gathered under the Ahmedabad night sky.
