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PHOTO: P. V. SIVAKUMAR

Party begins Deccan Chargers captain V.V.S Laxman, can can dancers and Sameera Reddy show the shape of things to come at the IPL matches

Symbolically the event began 50 minutes late just like the delay in entry of league concept, big money and the blending of sport with entertainment. The audience kept itself occupied by craning their necks towards the entrance for familiar faces (they didn’t know that the biggies who were worth crores weren’t going to make it. A clutch of bottle green laser light rays darted across the Conference Hall, its locus creating an image of moving waves. Contrary to what one would expect at a ‘cricketing’ event, there was hardly a hint about it. This was entertainment with a purpose, a business of entertainment.

‘Cricket is karmayudha and we unveil the war cry,’ said Mandira Bedi, the compere for the IPL Hyderabad Team brand launch, dressed in a knee-length off-shoulder red and white gown. Taufiq Qureshi and his Mumbai Stamp Band tee-ed off with an extremely well orchestrated percussion performance. This was followed by a Can Can dancers and a Latino dance performance. Sameera Reddy hopped onto the state in a figure hugging number and danced to remixes like Allah Duhai Hai, Soni de nakhre etc. They used to call this recording dance but now it has the respectability of genteelness about it. Oh Hyderabad Chargers? It is the logo and shows a charging red-eyed bull in colours of red and gold. Red - for boldness, aggression and dominance. Gold - for fortune and victory, explained J. Krishnan, of IPL Hyderabad franchise.

“God’s first choice was Hyderabad’s first choice,” he said speaking about the Adam connection with retired Australian cricketer Gilchrist.

The players were then called on stage. None of the overseas players - Gilchrist, Symonds, H. Gibbs, Shahid Afridi, Zoysa were present. However a pre-recorded video of Adam Gilchrist was played at the event. His mention of ‘no boundaries between players’ epitomised the likely paradigm shift in cricket following in time to come. International cricket will become just one way of classifying the game. In a household there could be five people cheering thee different teams and everyone keeping their eyes open for the entertainment being provided throughout the event. Gaudy jingoism will make way for genuine admiration for blends of hues.

The other acceptance is now the inevitable sharing of stage-space of entertainment and cricket. The two had flirted, courted and hotly denied rumours in the past. Now they are finally married. And the CEOs of the various franchisees will make sure it works. The megabucks are already staked. “We want to provide a wonderful experience for fans that come in to watch,” said Krishnan at a press conference later that evening. And it promises a lot like web-based ticketing, ease of entrance, water coolers, toilets facilities and of course, entertainment.

The entertainment part of the evening ended with a vote of thanks and photo sessions. Cocktails and food laid out inside the venue as well as on the terrace, came next. Informal mingling, ginger hugging and cheek-to-cheek air-blown kisses continued till midnight.

More entertainment, less cricket, more audience, more products to sell...

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