The Indian Premier League (IPL), 2017 kicked off in a blockbuster way on Wednesday evening with the display of fireworks, recollection of past editions, sideline interviews, lights, action and much more at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad as Joshua Vaz is ready to strike the drums in his style in the studio.
It was Ravi Shastri, who had been the anchor at the traditional ceremony before the summit clash of Royal Challengers Bangalore and defending champions Sunrisers Hyderabad took place.
The display of lighting up the night skies in colours made us relive the moment in its own glory before men and women danced in unison while synchronising beautifully as the team captains made a significant entry on the field while boarding a minicar amid firecrackers.
The traditional dancers flanked both team skippers as they rolled on the eyes in the stadium.
On the other side, the icons of cricket in the form of Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman and Virender Sehwag also shared the makeshift podium before giving valuable views as the IPL enters into a double digit mark.
They were also felicitated by the BCCI officials on the grand occasion including IPL chairman Rajiv Shukla.
Making the peppy entry, it was Bollywood diva Amy Jackson, who shook her leg on the famous chartbusters which included ‘Kar Gayi Chull’, ‘Let’s Nacho’ followed by ‘Tamma Tamma’ and ‘Kala Kala Chashma’.
However, the ceremony had further displayed the culture of Hyderabad before the spirit of cricket signings from both skippers; David Warner and Virat Kohli took place as the token of love was also given to visiting skipper before the photo-ops.
For every fan, it was a night to remember as former star cricketers took to the podium before players walked in to wrestle with the bat and a ball.
“IPL has revolutionized the whole dynamics of cricket. The league has provided such an environment for all,” VVS Laxman said while talking to Ravi Shastri.
“Congratulations to all those who had made this competition go on since 2008,” Sourav Ganguly.
“I always believed in one thing that if you’re playing cricket, you should entertain the fans, Virender Sehwag said.
“It’s a big achievement for all of us. It’s a matter of pride in India that the tournament like IPL has happened. The sports have gone to a different level while raising the bar of the tournaments,” Sachin Tendulkar said.
The performers had enthralled the jam-packed stadium as we had witnessed the complete package of entertainment – to celebrate the beginning of lucrative league in the country by a grand opening.
However, every hosting team will witness the opening ceremony for this edition.
One doesn’t need to advertise the word ‘IPL’ it has already become a huge brand in itself after every passing season.
The one-hour-long ceremony ended on a beautiful note as players lined-up to make an appearance in the ground for the first time in this season which unfortunately missed few star players in the line-up owing to injuries.
The lavish affair has seen much of the action as fireworks stole the show which was the best of the night’s moment before the bowlers would roll-over the arms and batsmen will be looking to swing their fortune as two Australians are leading the two units.
On the other side, micro-blogging website has geared up to impress the fans while unveiling the special emojis for leagues celebrated cricketers while using the names of different players as hashtags.
As the highly charged crowd was up on its feet to give a round of applauses for the much-awaited match the news out in the centre is RCB’s stand-in skipper Shane Watson won the toss and elected to bowl first against Warner-led Hyderabad.