Star-Studded Opening for ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 Final

The ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 final opened with thrilling performances by Falguni Pathak, Sukhbir, and Ricky Martin, captivating a crowd of 130,000. As India faced New Zealand, the atmosphere was electric, with nostalgic hits and vibrant dance routines setting the stage for an unforgettable match. Ricky Martin's first cricket final performance added to the excitement, showcasing his greatest hits and engaging with the audience. The event was a blend of sports and entertainment, drawing in fans and celebrities alike.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 8, 2026, 19:45 IST

Exciting Start to the T20 World Cup Final

The ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 kicked off with a bang, featuring electrifying performances by Falguni Pathak, Sukhbir, and Ricky Martin, who energized a crowd of 130,000 before the highly anticipated match between India and New Zealand. As the defending champions, India aims for their third T20 World Cup title, with Suryakumar Yadav leading the team against New Zealand's Mitchell Santner in the final showdown at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The artists set the stage with nostalgic hits that got the audience in high spirits.

Falguni Pathak and Sukhbir Ignite the Crowd

Falguni Pathak, Sukhbir Open the ICC Men's T20 Final

Falguni Pathak, known as the Dandiya queen, and Sukhbir, the Prince of Bhangra, took center stage during the closing ceremony of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. Their performances thrilled the local audience in Ahmedabad just before the Indian team faced off against New Zealand. Interestingly, Falguni Pathak's act was not broadcast on JioHotstar.

Sukhbir performed his iconic track Oh Ho Ho Ho, complete with vibrant background dancers and a dhol player. Earlier, Puerto Rican superstar Ricky Martin was seen rehearsing and enjoying Sukhbir's performance.

Ricky Martin Delivers a Memorable Performance

Ricky Martin Shines at the Closing Ceremony

This marks Ricky Martin's first performance at a cricket final in India, although he has previously performed in the country. Recently, he collaborated with Bad Bunny for a performance at the Super Bowl halftime show. In Ahmedabad, he delighted fans with timeless hits such as Maria, Shake Your Bon Bon, She Bangs, Livin’ la Vida Loca, and the football anthem Cup of Life.

Sporting a black jacket and pants, Martin quickly removed his jacket during the performance, showcasing his energetic dance moves alongside his colorful troupe. He expressed gratitude to the audience in Hindi, saying ‘Dhanyavad,’ and appeared genuinely touched by the warm reception. Martin concluded his set with a brief encore of his popular songs.

The sold-out stadium was filled with a mix of Indian and Kiwi fans, alongside former cricket legends like MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma. Bollywood stars Sonal Chauhan and Preity Zinta were also spotted enjoying the thrilling match at the Narendra Modi Stadium.