Watch: Emotional tribute to Armed Forces marks IPL 2025 resumption

The Indian Premier League 2025 resumed with patriotic fervour and emotional tributes on Sunday as Rajasthan Royals and

Punjab Kings

lined up for the national anthem ahead of their clash at the

Sawai Mansingh Stadium

in Jaipur. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The anthem was sung in unison by both teams and echoed around the stadium, paying homage to the Indian armed forces whose bravery and resilience protected the nation during a tense period of cross-border hostilities.Who's that IPL player?

The match marked the first full game since the league’s week-long suspension due to heightened tensions between India and Pakistan. WATCH:

While Saturday’s anticipated restart — featuring Royal Challengers Bengaluru and defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders — was washed out without a toss at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, Sunday’s fixture offered cricket fans a moving and memorable return to action.

Large screens at the stadium displayed a heartfelt message: “Thank you Armed Forces”, as players and fans stood in respect for the anthem. The gesture was a reminder of the sacrifices made by the country’s defenders, whose efforts allowed the tournament to resume safely.

At the toss, Punjab Kings skipper Shreyas Iyer expressed gratitude: “Kudos to the Army forces who have worked for the country and made sure that we're in a comfortable position.”