CelebVault.in

Cricket and music came together in spectacular fashion as the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup delivered both thrilling sporting action and a star-studded closing ceremony. While fans around the world tuned in to watch the much-anticipated clash between India national cricket team and New Zealand national cricket team on March 8, many were equally excited about the musical performances that accompanied the big event.

Global pop icon Ricky Martin headlined the closing ceremony, sharing the stage with popular Indian artists Falguni Pathak and Sukhbir Singh. The energetic performances created a festival-like atmosphere in the stadium and set the tone for the high-stakes final.

One of the highlights from the ceremony quickly went viral on social media. The official Instagram account of the International Cricket Council shared a video showing Ricky Martin enjoying the music and dancing with fans on the ground. Dressed casually in a white T-shirt, the pop star was seen jumping and grooving enthusiastically as Sukhbir’s popular track Oh Ho Ho Ho played in the background.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ICC (@icc)

Fans inside the stadium joined in the celebration, dancing and cheering along with the singer. The lively moment captured the spirit of the event, blending global pop culture with the excitement of international cricket.

Reacting to the viral clip, Sukhbir himself joined the conversation in the comments section. Referencing Ricky Martin’s famous “Ale Ale Ale” chant and his own hit track, he wrote, “Ale ale ale meets oho ho ho!” The comment quickly caught fans’ attention and added to the buzz around the performance.

Many social media users praised the collaboration between international and Indian artists. One fan described the moment as “such a vibe,” while another commented, “Kya baat! A global banger!” The interaction highlighted how music and sport can unite audiences from different cultures.

The musical segment began with Sukhbir taking the stage and performing his chart-topping hit “Oh Ho Ho Ho.” The upbeat track immediately energized the crowd, with thousands of fans dancing and clapping along. Following his performance, Ricky Martin took over the stage and delivered a lively set featuring some of his well-known songs.

Ahead of the performance, Sukhbir expressed excitement about being part of such a major sporting event. Speaking to ANI, he said performing in front of a cricket audience was a unique experience for him and promised that the show would be memorable for fans.

While the ceremony entertained the crowd, the cricket match itself delivered plenty of drama. India’s batting lineup powered through the game, eventually posting a massive total of 255 for 5, the third-highest score ever recorded in a T20 World Cup match.

The innings did not start explosively, with India managing just over 30 runs in the first four overs. However, a powerful 24-run over from Shivam Dube changed the momentum and pushed the team toward a commanding total.

For a brief period, the Indian side went 16 balls without hitting a boundary. The pressure was eventually relieved when Tilak Varma struck a four and Hardik Pandya followed with a towering six. However, New Zealand managed to strike back soon after by dismissing Pandya.

Another key storyline from the match was the performance of young opener Abhishek Sharma. The Indian team management had continued to back him despite a relatively difficult tournament, and that faith paid off in the final. Sharma delivered a sensational innings, scoring a blistering half-century off just 18 balls — the fastest fifty of the tournament.

Legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar praised the youngster’s performance on social media. He wrote that although Sharma had not had the easiest tournament, the team’s belief in his abilities helped him deliver when it mattered most.

Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan also applauded the team’s decision to stick with Sharma for the big match. He highlighted that backing proven players in high-pressure situations is often crucial in major tournaments.

Meanwhile, Sanju Samson also played a vital role in India’s innings. The wicketkeeper-batter scored an impressive 89 runs from 46 balls, hitting five boundaries and eight sixes before eventually being dismissed.

With thrilling cricket on the field and a star-studded musical celebration off it, the T20 World Cup final delivered an unforgettable evening for fans across the world.

Jeremy Larner, the Oscar-winning screenwriter best known for the acclaimed 1972 political drama The Candidate, has died at the age of 88. Larner passed away on February 24 at a nursing facility in Oakland, California, following a period of illness. The news was confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter by his son, Jesse Larner.

Larner left behind a career that uniquely blended politics, journalism, and filmmaking. His most celebrated work, The Candidate, earned him the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay in 1973. The film, produced by Warner Bros., became a defining political drama of its era and remains widely discussed for its sharp commentary on campaign culture and political ambition.

Directed by Michael Ritchie and starring Robert Redford, The Candidate follows Bill McKay, an idealistic lawyer who reluctantly agrees to run for the U.S. Senate despite believing he has little chance of winning. As the campaign progresses and public support unexpectedly grows, McKay ultimately wins the election. The film concludes with the now-famous line he asks his campaign manager after victory: “What do we do now?”

The screenplay’s authenticity came from Larner’s own experience in politics. Before entering the film industry, he worked as a speechwriter during the 1968 presidential campaign of Eugene McCarthy, the U.S. senator who ran as an anti–Vietnam War candidate. His firsthand exposure to political campaigning deeply influenced the tone and realism of The Candidate.

Reflecting on the film years later, Larner explained that his unusual background made him stand out among screenwriters. “One of the reasons they approached me was that I was one of the very few writers who had written speeches for a presidential campaign and was also a screenwriter,” he said.

Larner often described politics through the lens of performance. In his view, politicians shared similarities with movie stars, adopting larger-than-life versions of themselves for public audiences. He once remarked that a politician could “lose himself in a character,” becoming a symbolic figure representing ideals such as truth or beauty.

He also memorably compared the emotional experience of campaigning to a dangerous river journey. “A campaign was like drifting downriver on a raft,” he said. “Everything is beautiful. Then you begin to hear the roar of the falls up ahead—but it’s too late.”

Before writing The Candidate, Larner had already established himself as a novelist and journalist. His 1964 novel Drive, He Said was adapted into a 1971 film directed by Jack Nicholson in his feature directorial debut. Nicholson reportedly contacted Larner personally about the project, saying, “Jer, I’m gonna be a star, and they’re gonna let me direct a picture. I want you to come out and write it.”

Born on March 20, 1937, in Indianapolis, Larner attended Shortridge High School, where he won the city’s high school tennis championship. He later graduated from Brandeis University in 1958 before pursuing graduate studies at the University of California, Berkeley.

During the 1960s, he built a strong reputation as a freelance journalist. His writing appeared in major publications such as Life Magazine, The New Republic, and Harper’s Magazine. His work covered a wide range of subjects, including politics, social issues, and international events like the 1968 Mexico City Olympics.

Although Larner continued writing screenplays and essays throughout his career, he often spoke candidly about the limited influence writers held in Hollywood. He once noted that writers rarely had significant power in the film industry unless they reached the stature of celebrated screenwriters such as Paddy Chayefsky.

When accepting his Oscar in 1973, Larner acknowledged the political world that had inspired his storytelling. He remarked that as long as politicians continued to use lofty language about ideals such as “honor,” filmmakers would continue to produce even sharper and more insightful political dramas.

Larner’s legacy remains closely tied to The Candidate, a film that continues to resonate decades after its release for its insightful look at the mechanics and contradictions of political life.

He is survived by his sons, Jesse and Zachary, and his brother Daniel.

Jenelle Evans is sharing good news about her family dynamic.
The Teen Mom alum revealed that she and ex-husband David Eason—who are parents to 9-year-old daughter Ensley—have been on positive…
 

Trophies are being handed out at a Roy Wood Jr.-hosted ceremony in New York after the L.A. ceremony was canceled amid a WGA West staff strike. 

The actress is unpacking her big opening scene in the slasher film, performing her own stunts, what’s ahead for the third season of Taylor Sheridan’s hit show and her upcoming Christmas movie with Christopher Briney. 

Elisabeth Hasselbeck got a big lesson in royal etiquette after meeting Queen Elizabeth II.
Amid the View alum’s return to the ABC talk show for a weeklong guest cohosting stint, she recalled an…
 

Amy Adams and her daughter Aviana are mastering the red carpet.
Indeed, the Enchanted star joined the 15-year-old—who she shares with husband Darren Le Gallo—in an ultra-rare mother-daughter…
 

Steve Carell wasn’t always crazy about Crazy, Stupid, Love—as a movie title, that is.
The 40-Year-Old Virgin star admitted he initially wasn’t fond of the title given to the 2011 romantic…
 

After winning his first Wimbledon Championships title, Jannik Sinner’s personal life has become a public topic among fans. Learn more about his dating history here. 

Kimberly Van Der Beek is honoring the life of her late husband.
Indeed, James Van Der Beek’s wife of 15 years shared a series of unseen photos and videos of the Dawson’s Creek alum—who died Feb….