IPL Kick Starts

“The IPL is back,” boomed Ravi Shastri on March 12, at the opening ceremony, as he promised a spectacular show to spectators at the DY Patil stadium in Mumbai that was almost 40 per cent occupied when the show started. With the start of the IPL season, Shah Rukh Khan has reason to smile. But, along the way, the promise was lost in translation as a host of artistes lip-synched the crowd to boredom.  The opening match was between Kolkata Knight Riders and Deccan Chargers. Shah Rukh Khan’s IPL team Knight Riders won the match in style.

British band UB40 kicked off the evening with their classic hit, I Can’t Help Falling In Love With You. Their performance was followed by ABBA Revival, which was dull. Not even Deepika Padukone and her Bollywood hits could get the crowd going.

Deepika Padukone

In a scene that looked straight out of a sci-fi movie, children swarmed the field and it seemed like they were lighting up like bulbs every few seconds. If that sounds like an engaging sight to you, then kudos to you. But, to the rest of us, it looked like a function that was without a purpose and theme.

The eight captains trooped onto the field to affirm their commitment to the spirit of the game. Adam Gilchrist, captain of the defending champions, was the first to sign the banner there. Sourav Ganguly was next in line and despite his smile, it looked like he had his mind on something else.

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