Ahmedabad: The stage is set for the grand finale of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, where India will face Australia at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on 19th November. Cricket fans will not only witness a thrilling contest between the two best teams in the world but also a spectacular air show by the Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team of the Indian Air Force.
According to the Defense PRO of Gujarat, the Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT) will perform a 10-minute air show just before the start of the match, showcasing their skills and precision in the sky of Ahmedabad. The team will rehearse for the air show on Friday and Saturday. The air show will feature loop maneuvers, barrel roll maneuvers, and the formation of various shapes in the sky in victory formation. The team will fly nine BAe Hawk Mk132 aircraft, which are painted in day-glo orange and white colors.
The Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT) was formed in 1996 and is part of the 52nd Squadron of the IAF. The team is known as the \”Ambassadors of the Indian Air Force\” and aims to \”showcase the professionalism, the caliber, and the mettle of the Indian Air Force\”¹. The team has performed numerous demonstrations in various parts of the country and abroad and is among the three renowned nine-aircraft public display aerobatic teams in the world (the other two being the British Red Arrows and the Canadian Snowbirds)². The team also trains fighter pilots in maneuvers and weapon distribution.
The World Cup final is expected to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the chief guest, along with singers Dua Lipa, Pritam Chakraborty, and Aditya Gadhvi, who will perform during the event. Family members of Indian players, former Indian greats Sachin Tendulkar and Hardik Pandya may also reach Ahmedabad to cheer for the team. India has reached the final of the ODI World Cup by defeating New Zealand on Wednesday, while Australia has beaten South Africa in the second semi-final on Thursday.
