Spectacular start to IPL by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Event:

Indian Premier League 2009/10

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DateLine: 12th March 2010

 

Cricket’s showpiece event the DLF IPL 3 got off to a spectacular start at DY Patil Stadium here on Friday. It was a dazzling display of glitz and glamour where the West and the Orient blended wonderfully to make the evening truly memorable to thousands who thronged the stadium.

 

Mr Lalit Modi, the IPL Commissioner declared the event open after the eight captains had signed the MCC spirit of cricket board. As IPL goes green this year, Sachin Tendulkar was named the UNEP goodwill ambassador.

 

Internationally renowned reggae star Alistair Campbell of UB40 kicked off the evening with by rendering his all-time hit song Can’t Help Falling in Love. More entertainment was in store as ABBA’s biggest hit the Dancing Queen was sung by Bjorn Again. The icing on the cake during the course of Bjorn’s performance was the creation of chakra of the national flag by the performers clad in luminescent costumes. Then came the mesmerising performance by the drummers and the flags of the eight teams were revealed dramatically through wind machines. Jaws dropped when Bollywood starlet Deepika Padukone danced to the tunes from her hit films. Her attire was striking to the occasion and had the crowd in raptures.

 

A breathtaking laser show lit up the Mumbai sky as the Oscar and Grammy winning Jai Ho was played to the audience. But the biggest cheer of the evening was reserved for Pop legend Lionel Richie who performed his hit the ‘Dancing on the Ceiling’. A spectacular display of fireworks heralded the start of the league.