The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Spectacular start to IPL extravaganza

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Saturday, Apr 19, 2008
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Spectacular start to IPL extravaganza

Kalyan Ashok

BCCI president Sharad Pawar describes it as a historic day in cricket

Biggest ovation reserved for
Rahul Dravid
It’s a special moment, says
Ray Mali

— Photo: V. Sreenivasa Murthy

Cheering their heroes: Cricket fans in the traditional Mysore peta at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore on Friday.

Bangalore: As the sun went down on the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, a new dawn rose for cricket with a star-spangled launch of the DLF Indian Premier League.

It was indeed a show that can only be seen to be believed and every spectator in the jam-packed stadium got his worth of fun and fantasy.

Even as the milling crowds, jostled their way to the stadium, the show began, with Shankar Mahadevan, Ehsan and Loy, belting out the popular Bollywood track, “Jhoom Bara Bar Jhoom” and kept the fans swaying to the beat. Then as stars lit up the sky, the stadium was swathed in dazzling array of colour as laser shafts, cut across the field and stilt walkers from Europe took the stage and then came acrobats, with mind defying aerial stunts with girls hanging upside down on the wire and twirling back to climb and swung across the field as soulful a music played on.

It was then the turn of Dutch singer, Alma, who crooned the theme song of the event “Dare to Dream,” and as her final notes faded into the night, synchronised fireworks lit up the sky.

Introduction

It was then time for serious business as former Indian greats, Sunil Gavaskar and Ravi Shastri took the stage and introduced the eight captains of the IPL teams.

As each one came on the stage, the biggest ovation was reserved for Rahul Dravid, skipper of Bangalore Royal Challengers, M.S. Dhoni, captain of Chennai Super Kings, and Sachin Tendulkar, captain of Mumbai Indians.

Mr. Gavaskar then read out the “Spirit of Cricket” preamble which was originally penned for MCC by Ted Dexter and Colin Cowdrey.

The preamble sought the players and teams to play the game in true spirit, with respect for rival players, umpires and laws of the game. The eight captains then formally signed that declaration setting the tone for a healthy competition.

BCCI president Sharad Pawar, who spoke on the occasion, called it “a historic day for cricket, and the whole world is watching Bangalore now and IPL would help us find new young talent.”

Ray Mali, acting ICC president, said: “it’s a special moment which is going to take the game to a new level.”

Lalit Modi, chief executive and commissioner of DLF IPL League, declared the championship open, and observed that it had exceeded his wildest dreams.

“I hope the match between Bangalore Royal Challengers and Kolkata Knight Riders will set the tone for the rest of the league action,” he said.

‘Fantastic launch’

Mr. Modi also thanked all the sponsors, including Vijay Mallya, who, he said, had organised “fantastic launch for the IPL.”

More fun followed as winsome lasses of Washington Redskins Cheerleaders’ team from the U.S., who have been specially flown in for the event did their act, ending the big night on a cheery note before the cricket took its rightful place on the stage.

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