Nation first, IPL later: Indian cricketers laud Indian Armed Forces after Operation Sindoor

Several Indian cricketers have come forward to voice their support for the Indian Armed Forces after India launched Operation Sindoor targeting terror bases in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (Pok) and Pakistan. The operation was conducted in retaliation for the cowardly terror attack in Pahalgam last month, where Pakistan-backed terrorists killed 26 innocent Indians.

In a coordinated air strike, the Indian Air Force destroyed nine terror camps across the border using missiles. Pakistan retaliated with drone attacks of its own, but most were intercepted and neutralised by India’s air defence systems.

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The tense border situation had an impact on the IPL 2025. On Thursday (May 8), amidst blackout orders and air raid sirens in Pathankot and nearby regions, the IPL 2025 match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharamshala was suspended midway. A few hours later, the BCCI announced a week-long suspension of the IPL via its official X handle.

Soon after, Indian cricketing icons took to social media to stand in solidarity with the armed forces.

Earlier,Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma had announced their support for the Indian Armed Forces.

Here are some of the Indian cricketers who have publicly backed the forces:

1) Virender Sehwag

War has been chosen by Pakistan when they had an opportunity to keep quiet.
They have escalated to save it’s terrorist assets, speaks so much about them.
Our forces will reply in the most appropriate manner, a manner Pakistan will never forget.

2) Parthiv Patel

3) Harbhajan Singh

जय भारत 🇮🇳 । जय जवान । हर हर महादेव 🙏

4) Shikhar Dhawan

Respect to our brave hearts for protecting our borders with such strength and stopping the drone attack on Jammu. India stands strong. Jai Hind! 🇮🇳

5) Aakash Chopra

6) Pragyan Ojha

7) Kris Srikkant

8) Venkatesh Prasad

What a complete rogue state Pakistan is.
India will screw them like how.

9) Mayank Agarwal

10) R P Singh

11) Suryakumar Yadav

Massively proud of our forces and their resilience. You are the reason we stay unharmed, at our homes. Big salute to your strength and determination in protecting us at borders. We thank you. Jai Hind 🇮🇳

12) Ambati Rayudu

I can’t even comprehend what our families at the borders are going through right now. I stand with my people and I empathise with the families at the borders. India stands united not in hate, but in unwavering belief that justice must prevail. We are a nation that cherishes…

13) Jasprit Bumrah

Grateful to our armed forces for their courage and bravery. We salute them and remain forever in their debt for everything that they do to keep us safe 🇮🇳

14) Sanjay Manjrekar

15) Shubman Gill

16) Suresh Raina

17) Cheteshwar Pujara

Immense gratitude to our armed forces for their unwavering bravery and courage to protect this great nation! Praying for the health and safety of our real heroes and their families in these tough times 🙏

Jai Hind 🇮🇳

18) Yuvraj Singh

We stand united in gratitude for our armed forces who are risking their lives at the frontlines to defend our borders and protect the sanctity of our motherland. Their courage is India's pride 🙏🏻 🇮🇳 Jai Hind!

19) Ravi Shastri

I have seen many United outfits in my sporting life, but this is the first time I am seeing a 1.5 billion-strong India United take the field, led by our magnificent Armed Forces and captained by the G.O.A.T., Narendra Modi Ji and his government. Take a bow. Jai Hind 🇮🇳…

20) Krunal Pandya

So proud of our armed forces, saluting their bravery to keep us all safe. Jai Hind 🇮🇳

21) Mohammad Shami

22) Irfan Pathan

23) Yusuf Pathan

Salute to the bravery of our Indian Army. Jai Hind!

This overwhelming support from the cricketing fraternity highlights a powerful message when the nation is under threat, everything else takes a backseat.

In moments of crisis, their collective voice stands as a symbol of unity, strength for the nation.