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Ahmedabad:When Kapil’s Devils clinched the World Cup in 1983, cricket was still one of the sports in India, and a champion team required the support of a genuine cricket enthusiast like Lata Mangeshkar to organize a concert, enabling each member to earn ₹1 lakh.
By the time Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s team secured victory in 2011, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had evolved into a billion-dollar entity. In the 28 years between 1983 and 2011, cricket had transformed into an “industry.”
Now, a dozen years later, as Rohit Sharma and his team strive to secure the Cup for the third time on Sunday, cricket has become a medium of ‘Soft Power’ for the country.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles are slated to attend the match on Sunday. Chief Minister Patel conducted a thorough review of security and other arrangements with top officials,” the release stated.
The release outlined that police officials briefed the CM about the comprehensive measures in place to ensure the smooth conduct of the match. This includes the deployment of 4,500 personnel to provide security to the ground, teams, VIPs, and to manage traffic effectively.
The CM directed officials to ensure that the general public does not face inconvenience due to VIP movement. He emphasized the importance of providing proper information about closed roads and diversions to people in advance, the release added.
Furthermore, the CM urged officials to enhance the frequency of metro trains heading towards Motera station (near the stadium) for the convenience of fans, who are anticipated to arrive in the city from various parts of the country and abroad.
With Prime Minister Narendra Modi set to attend the final on Sunday, a spectacular air-show by the Indian Air Force, the presence of two former Cup-winning captains Kapil and Dhoni in the stands, and a star-studded audience from the realms of entertainment and politics, the event promises unparalleled grandeur.
The spectacle will include cultural programs featuring Bollywood music director Pritam, singer Jonita Gandhi, and the current Gujarati singing sensation Aditya Gadhavi from Coke Studio, renowned for ‘Gotilo.’
The pre-toss and innings break are scheduled to feature performances by 500 dancers from Mumbai, gyrating to popular Bollywood numbers.
