Global pop sensation Shawn Mendes mesmerized music lovers with his electrifying performance at Lollapalooza India 2025, which took place in Mumbai on March 8. His high-energy show at the famed Mahalaxmi Racecourse served as a spectacular conclusion to the festival’s opening day, leaving the audience thoroughly captivated.

This two-day musical celebration, celebrated for its diverse array of both international and local talent, kicked off on a high note, with Mendes’ performance emerging as one of the key highlights. To add to the excitement, the singer showed his support for the Indian men’s cricket team ahead of their eagerly awaited ICC Men’s Champions Trophy final against New Zealand, endearing himself even further to his Indian fans.

Mendes ignited the stage around 8:30 PM, dressed in a casual T-shirt and pants. The crowd erupted in cheers when he surprised them by changing into the iconic blue jersey of the Indian cricket team, featuring ‘Virat’ and the number ‘18’ on the back—a heartfelt tribute to the cricketing legend. This gesture sparked waves of enthusiasm, prompting chants of “Kohli…Kohli…Kohli” from the audience, creating an electric atmosphere.

Recognizing the significance of the upcoming cricket match, Mendes addressed the crowd, saying, “India, I know you have a match tomorrow. Good luck. I hope it goes well,” which elicited thunderous applause. The much-anticipated ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 final between India and New Zealand is scheduled for Sunday at the Dubai International Stadium.

Mendes enthralled the crowd with a dynamic set, delivering some of his biggest hits like “There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back,” “Treat You Better,” “Señorita,” “Why,” and “Do I Ever Cross Your Mind.” The audience sang along in unison, swaying to his soulful melodies, making it an unforgettable musical journey.

“Dher sara pyaar, Mumbai! (Lots of love, Mumbai!)” Shawn Mendes exclaimed to the massive crowd at Mahalaxmi Racecourse. A standout moment was a unique musical fusion, during which Mendes played the guitar alongside two Indian musicians—one on the tabla and the other on the sitar.

Celebrating his admiration for Indian culture, he expressed gratitude for the country’s rich musical heritage, stating, “No matter where I go, music is the one thing that unites (people) in a beautiful way. I’ve always had such love and admiration for India, India’s music, and its musicians here. One of the greatest, beautiful and magnificent cultures… It is amazing… I want to do something special for you guys tonight.”

Mendes maintained high energy throughout his performance, with dazzling fireworks lighting up the night sky at various intervals. He actively engaged the crowd, encouraging them to sing and clap along, making for an electrifying experience. As he wrapped up his show, he merrily said, “See you, namaste, bye-bye,” leaving the audience buzzing with excitement.

The opening day of Lollapalooza India 2025 was a spectacular musical event, featuring vibrant performances from renowned international acts like rock band Glass Animals, German DJ Zedd, and American musicians Cory Wong and Isabel LaRosa. Additionally, local talents such as Jonita Gandhi, Dot., Sahil Vasudeva, Frizzell D’Souza, Dhanji, and Spyryk added to the festival’s lively atmosphere, making it an unforgettable night.

Dubai’s extreme heat and spin-friendly pitch will significantly influence the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final, where India faces New Zealand at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday. With temperatures around 32 degrees Celsius, captains will have a challenging decision at the toss, as teams have generally preferred chasing in the afternoon sun. However, with minimal dew reported so far, batting first might not be a disadvantage if a competitive total can be set.

Throughout the tournament, the Dubai pitch has favored spinners, aiding turn and complicating stroke-play as the ball wears down. The Powerplay has been an ideal time for batting, with the new ball providing good assistance. Yet, as the innings progress, batters must adapt to the surface’s sluggishness. The final is anticipated to exhibit similar patterns, making early aggression and middle-over consolidation essential for success.

Entering the match with an unbeaten record in the tournament, India is buoyed by their prior victory over New Zealand at the same venue last Sunday. However, New Zealand, led by Mitchell Santner, has historically posed challenges for India in ICC events, having won critical knockout matches in the past.

The Kiwis will draw confidence from their convincing semifinal win over South Africa, looking to turn the tables on India in this crucial encounter. India’s bowling attack will be bolstered by mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy, who excelled against New Zealand in their last meeting. The Blackcaps, having faced him previously, will be better equipped to handle his deceptive variations this time around.

Conversely, New Zealand will rely on Santner’s left-arm spin, which has previously troubled the Indian batting order and could be a significant threat to their middle order.

For India, the role of Rohit Sharma at the top of the order will be pivotal. After a spectacular inning against Bangladesh, the Indian captain struggled with consistency. A brisk start from Rohit could put New Zealand on the back foot against their well-rounded bowling unit. Meanwhile, Santner will aim to replicate his impactful performance from the semifinal to limit India’s aggressive batting lineup.

Mohammad Amir, the talented Pakistani fast bowler, has made an exciting declaration regarding his aspirations to join the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Amir, who is set to be eligible to participate in the IPL in 2026, has expressed his enthusiasm for the opportunity, stating, “By next year, I will have the opportunity to play in the IPL, and if the chance arises, why not? I am eager to join.”

Amir’s ambitions are made easier by his wife Narjis being a UK citizen, which paves the way for him to acquire a UK passport, potentially granting him the necessary clearance to play in the IPL.

During his appearance on the show “Haarna Mana Hai,” host Tabish Hashmi probed Amir on how he might respond to criticisms from Pakistan regarding his potential participation in the IPL. Amir, who has since retired from international cricket, responded thoughtfully, indicating that there exists a contradiction within the cricketing community: “Pakistani cricketers were banned from the IPL, yet many of our former stars are involved as commentators and coaches for franchises.”

He referenced former Pakistan greats like Wasim Akram, who has held coaching roles with the Kolkata Knight Riders, and Ramiz Raza, known for his commentary work.

Amir also took a moment to highlight his respect for Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli, reminiscing about a specially gifted bat from Kohli before their Twenty20 World Cup clash in Kolkata in 2016. “Virat is impressive and has a keen eye for talent. I was deeply touched by his gesture,” Amir reflected. He recalled enjoying considerable success while using that bat in matches.

Moreover, Amir revealed his desire to play for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Fellow guest Ahmed Shehzad weighed in, suggesting that Amir could significantly alter RCB’s fate in the tournament. “RCB requires a bowler of Amir’s caliber to address their ongoing bowling issues. With their strong batting lineup, his addition could finally lead them to their first IPL title,” he asserted.