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Delhi snap 11-match losing streak in IPL

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Yuvraj Singh

Pune: A responsible innings of 55 runs by Yuvraj Singh and some aggressive hitting from Mayank Agarwal (68) helped Delhi Daredevils register their first win of the Indian Premier League (IPL), beating Kings XI Punjab by five wickets, in a group league match at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium here on Wednesday.

This was the Daredevils’ first win after losing 11 matches on the trot in the competition (nine last year, two this year) that propelled them to the fourth spot in the standings with 2 points from three matches. Punjab were at the fifth spot with a win from three matches.

Chasing 166, Daredevils did not get a brisk start and when they lost skipper Jean Paul Duminy (21) in the 8th over with the score at 53, things looked bleak for them. But Yuvraj took over the responsibility from thereon. He forged an innings-resurrecting 106-run third-wicket partnership with Agarwal that brought the Daredevils closer to their target and paved their way to the victory on the penultimate ball of the match.

The pair engaged in some lusty hitting when they came closer to the target but both got out when Daredevils were inches away from their win.

But in the end it was just a minor blip on their way, though they would have liked to win more comfortably.

Earlier, experienced opener Virender Sehwag (47) and Wriddhiman Saha (39) scored the bulk of the total. Kings XI were provided a decent start through Sehwag and Murali Vijay (19). And even after Vijay’s dismissal in the fifth over, they continued their run flow.

The second-wicket partnership of Sehwag and Saha played sensibly to build a strong platform for Punjab to capitalise in the death overs. But as they tried to up the ante, seasoned leg-spinner Amit Mishra (3/41) struck to send Saha back to the pavilion.

But that did not deter Sehwag, who launched the Daredevils skipper for a huge six over mid-wicket but perished off the next ball trying to hoick him again, only managing to offer a catch in the deep.

The two quick dismissals brought South African David Miller (5) and Australian Glenn Maxwell to the crease.

Maxwell (15) struck two huge sixes but was soon talking the long walk back after mistiming a similar big shot. Miller departed soon after and Daredevils by then had lost the momentum in their bid to score rapidly and mustered to score only three runs off the last over bowled by South African leggie Imran Tahir(3/43).

 (IANS)

Smith's unbeaten 79 guides Rajasthan to seven wicket win over Mumbai

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steve-smith

Ahmedabad: Rajasthan Royals(RR) skipper Steve Smith smashed an unbeaten 79 off 53 balls to steer his side to a thrilling seven wicket victory over Mumbai Indians (MI) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) encounter at the Sardar Patel Stadium here on Tuesday.

The winning runs came from the captain’s willow, as Rajasthan hunte d down MI’s total of 164 for five. With five balls still remaining, Rajasthan reached 165 for three.

With this win, the Royals have registered their third straight win of the season. In stark contrast, 2013 IPL champions Mumbai slumped to their third defeat in as many matches.

Chasing a challenging 164-run target set by Mumbai Indians, the hosts got off to a modest start, but lost opener Sanju Samson for 17 in the fifth over when Mumbai’s Rohit Sharma caught him at mid off off the bowling of Vinay Kumar.

But Rajasthan didn’t let the asking rate go up, as Steve Smith and opener Ajinkya Rahane (46; 39 b, 4 x4) piled up a vital 64-run partnership for the second wicket to set the tone for the run chase.

As the duo was looking to take the game away from the visitors, Shreyas Gopal struck for Mumbai as he put the break on the run flow by dismissing Rahane, when he was caught at long off by Corey Anderson.

New man Deepak Hooda (13; 2×6), the hero of Royal’s match against Delhi, didn’t take much time to settle down as he smashed two consecutive sixes in the same over, one over deep mid wicket and the other over the bowler’s head.

But Hooda’s cameo ended when Malinga rattled his stumps .

Earlier on in the innings, Mumbai skipper Rohit Sharma opted to bat first but the visitors got an early jolt, when opener Aaron Finch cramped himself up while taking a run and was forced to leave the field in the fourth over.

Finch’s opening partner Parthiv Patel (16), who opened the innings in place of skipper Rohit Sharma, departed in the fifth over.

The 2013 champions found themselves in more trouble when skipper Rohit who dropped himself two places down the batting order didn’t trouble the scorers (out for zero in the second successive match) as he was caught at first slip by Steve Smith while attempting to hit a wide delivery of the bowling of Stuart Binny.

With his dismissal, came in Anderson. At the other end, a struggling Unmukt Chand (12) was clean bowled by Pravin Tambe. Mumbai were then 45/3 in 9.5 overs.

Pollard walked in next, and changed the complexion of the game by authoring a 104-run stand with Anderson (50; 38 b, 5 fours, 3 sixes). Pollard (70; 34 b, 7×4, 5×6) smashed the ball to all parts of the ground to provide a breezy momentum to the Mumbai Indians.

Anderson was earlier caught of the bowling of Kulkarni when he was batting on 23 but the delivery was judged a no ball.

(IANS)

Easy win for Sunrisers over Royal Challengers

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david-warner

Bengaluru: Skipper David Warner blasted a 27-ball 57 (6×4, 4×6) to help Sunrisers Hyderabad notch their first success in two outings with an eight-wicket win over Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League T20 tournament here on Monday.

Warner and fellow-opener Shikhar Dhawan (50 not out, 42b, 4×6, 2×4) put on 82 runs in 7.2 overs as Sunrisers hunted down RCB’s total of 166 all out, posting 172 for two in 17.2 overs.

Dhawan played a mature innings as he along with Lokesh Rahul (44, 28b, 4×4, 1×6) added 78 runs for the unfinished third wicket to carry Sunrisers over the finish line in style.

Warner thus justified his decision of opting to field on winning the toss on a damp night following heavy rains in the evening. Fortunately, the rains stayed away, but the large partisan crowd was left disappointed by RCB’s limp performance.

Warner’s power-packed innings took much the pressure off the chase as the visitors took control while Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers turned increasingly disheartened as Sunrisers made light of the target.

The closest that RCB came to checking the chase was when leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal removed Warner, who was trapped leg-before and Kane Williamson (5), stumped by Dinesh Karthik, but Dhawan dropped anchor to guide Sunrisers home.

Earlier, RCB promised a lot but delivered little as their frontline batsmen, openers Chris Gayle (21, 16b, 3×4, 1×6) and Kohli (41, 37b, 4×4, 2×6), and AB de Villiers (46, 28b, 5×4, 2×6) failed to build on good starts.

Once the Sunrisers got rid of Gayle who chanced his arms once too often, it was a gradual downhill ride for the home team although Kohli and de Villiers raised visions of a big total.

Sunrisers kept their composure to strike telling blows at vital moments with Boult claiming three wickets in the 19th over and fellow-seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar taking two in the 20th to peg RCB after Ravi Bopara, the former England star, had removed Kohli and Mandeep Singh off consecutive deliveries, in the 12th over.

RCB never quite recovered from these body blows to crash to their first defeat in two outings while the Sunrisers, who played better cricket, emerged deserving winners.

Brief scores: Royal Challengers Bangalore 166 all out in 19.5 overs (Chris Gayle 21, Virat Kohli 41, AB de Villiers 46, Trent Boult 3 for 36, Bhuvneshwar Kumar 2 for 30, Ravi Bopara 2 for 31) lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad 172 for 2 (David Warner 57, Shikhar Dhawan 50 not out, Lokesh Rahul 44 not out, Yuzvendra Chahal 2 for 28) by 8 wickets.

(IANS)

Kings XI Punjab fend off Harbhajan's heroics to beat Mumbai Indians by 18 runs

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Kings XI Punjab

New Delhi: Kings XI Punjab survived a late scare by Harbhajan Singh as they sealed their first win of the eighth edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) with an 18-run win over Mumbai Indians on Sunday at Wankhede Stadium.

Put into bat first, Kings XI Punjab posted a challenging total of 177 runs in their allotted 20 overs for the loss of five wickets.

Explosive opener Virender Sehwag and Murali Vijay provided the initial thrust for the team as they built a 60-run partnership for the first wicket.

Sehwag scored 36 runs off 19 balls before he was dismissed by Harbhajan, who also claimed the wicket of Vijay (35).

Though swashbuckling all-rounder Glenn Maxwell (6) couldn’t contribute much to the total, skipper George Bailey smacked a brisk 61, along with David Miller’s 24 to help their side post a daunting total.

Chasing the target, Mumbai Indians failed to get a good start as they stuttered from the start of their innings.

Skipper Rohit Sharma couldn’t open his account as he was trapped lbw off Sandeep Sharma’s delivery for a duck.

While Aaron Finch was bowled by Mitchell Johnson for mere eight runs, Aditya Tare trudged back to the pavilion for his individual seven runs before the dismissal of Corey Anderson (5).

Subsequently, Ambati Rayadu (13) and Kieron Pollard (20) tried to steady the innings but failed to build on their respective starts.

Rohit’s men were reeling at 59-6 before Harbhajan found an able ally in Jagadeesha Suchit (34 not out) as they piled up 100 runs for the seventh wicket.

Harbhajan battled past a hovering run-rate as he smacked a quickfire 64, including 6 sixes and five fours, off just 24 balls before his dismissal at the penultimate ball of the match.

Finally, Mumbai Indians could only score 159-7 in their allotted 20 overs, and Kings XI Punjab skipper Bailey was named Man-of-the-Match for his stellar 61-run knock.

Axar Patel, Johnson and Anureet Singh were the pick of the bowlers for the Kings XI Punjab as they scalped two wickets each.

With the win, Kings XI Punjab are fifth in the points table while Mumbai Indians haven’t been able to secure a point yet from their previous two games.

(ANI)

Hooda, Rahane inflict 11th consecutive loss on Daredevils

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deepak-hooda

New Delhi: Deepak Hooda’s 24-ball 54 and Ajinkya Rahane (47) helped Rajasthan Royals inflict the 11th consecutive loss on Delhi Daredevils in the Indian Premier League (IPL) with a three-wicket win at the Ferozeshah Kotla here on Sunday.

Daredevils, who had lost nine consecutive matches in the last edition and the first match of this edition, scored 184/3 in 20 overs. They got the bulk of their runs through openers Mayank Agarwal (37 in 21 deliveries) and Shreyas Iyer (40 in 30 balls).

Skipper Jean-Paul Duminy (not out 44), Yuvraj Singh (27 runs in 17 balls) and Angelo Mathews (not out 27 in 14 balls) provided a late spark.

In reply to the big target, Royals struggled till the 19-year-old Hooda came and hit four sixes and three fours. They achieved the target with three wickets in hand.

Rahane held the innings together but Sanju Samson (11), stand-in skipper Steven Smith (10), Karun Nair (12-ball 20) and Stuart Binny (1) departed without any major contributions.

Indian leg-spinner Amit Mishra used his variations to perfection as he removed Smith and Nair. Mathews accounted for opening batsman Samson while South African leg-spinner Imran Tahir trapped Indian batsman Binny in front of the stumps.

Tahir had his brace after bowling out Rahane to puncture the Royals chase even though Hooda continued to hammer the Daredevils bowlers.

Manoj Tiwary not only dropped Hooda on 31 on the midwicket boundary but also allowed the ball to go for a six and it proved costly for the Dardevils.

Later, Tahir removed Hooda and big-hitting James Faulkner (11-ball 17) to take Dardevils closer to a victory.

But Royals, needing 13 off the final over, got over the line as Tim Southee hit a four when they required three in the final ball of the match.

With this loss, Daredevils matched the maximum losing streak in the IPL. Now-defunct Pune Warriors India had lost 11 matches in an earlier edition.

Earlier, Agarwal got the Daredevils off to a flying start as he cracked 37 in just 21 deliveries. His knock included six fours and one six.

The Karnataka right-hander attacked the Royals pace bowlers. After showing his intent with a daring pull off New Zealander Tim Southee, he followed it with a flick off Chris Morris in the second over.

When Southee returned, Agarwal got onto the front foot and drove over the cover boundary for a six.

Royals skipper Smith removed Morris and brought in Dhawal Kulkarni and the Mumbai pacer was treated with similar disdain. Agarwal collected four fours that helped Daredevils score 44 runs in only four overs.

However, leg-spinner Pravin Tambe pulled the plug on Agarwal’s innings with the batsman offering a return catch to the bowler.

After a couple of quiet overs, Iyer blasted Tambe for a six and a four towards the long-on boundary before offering a catch to Southee off Morris. Iyer made 40 in 30 deliveries.

At 93/2 after 11 overs, 2015 IPL’s costliest buy Yuvraj — at Rs.16 crore — joined Duminy in the middle but perished after scoring a 17-ball 27.

Ace Sri Lankan all-rounder Mathews, who was picked in the XI ahead of in-form Albie Morkel, justified his selection as he fired 27 in 14 balls.

Along with Duminy, Mathews and Yuvraj ensured that Daredevils posted a challenging total but in the end, it was not enough.

Brief scores: Delhi Daredevils 184/3 in 20 overs (Jean-Paul Duminy not out 44, Shreyas Iyer 40, Mayank Agarwal 37; Chris Morris 2/35) lose to Rajasthan Royals: 186/7 in 20 overs (Deepak Hooda 54, Ajinkya Rahane 47; Imran Tahir 4/28).

(IANS)

Rajasthan Royals down Kings XI Punjab by 26 runs in IPL

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Rajasthan Royals

Pune: Rajasthan Royals got their Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign off to a bright start beating Kings XI Punjab by 26 runs in a preliminary round match at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium here on Friday.

Chasing 163 runs to win, Punjab’s reply never really got going and they only managed to reach 136/8 in their 20 overs.

Australia’s World Cup hero James Faulkner was Royals’ star man was well with his innings-pacing knock of 46 runs and then taking 3/26 with the ball.

The Punjab run chase got off to the worst possible start when Virender Sehwag (0) was out first ball of their innings, edging a Tim Southee delivery to the wicketkeeper.

And their problems compounded further with the quick dismissals of Wriddhiman Saha (7) the dangerous (7).

India test opener Murali Vijay (37) was shaping up nicely to guide the team’s run chase but his run out in the nonth over severely dampened their chances from which they simply didn’t recover.

Earlier, Rajasthan Royals posted 162/7 against Kings XI Punjab in their 20 overs

Faulkner (46) was the principal run scorer for the Royals while pacer Anureet Singh 3/23 was the pick of the Punjab bowlers.

Punjab captain Australian George Bailey won the toss and invited Royals to bat.

His judgement was justified by his team’s bowlers as they struck as early as in the second over when pacer Anureet dismissed India batsman Ajinkya Rahane for zero.

Royals were unable to get over the early jolt and kept losing wicket at regular intervals. Skipper Australian Steven Smith (33) put up some resistance but his compatriot pacer Mitchell Johnson struck twice in the 11th over to seize the initiative and reduce Royals to 75/5 in 10.4 overs.

But the 51-run sixth-wicket partnership of Deepak Hooda (30) and Faulkner resurrected their innings and helped them post a decent total.

A minute’s silence and black armbands were worn by the players, match officials and the commentators to pay tribute to the death of the legendary former Australia captain and cricket broadcaster Richie Benaud prior to the start of the match..

(IANS)

Rajasthan Royals player was offered money for fixing IPL 2015 match

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Rajasthan Royals

Jaipur: Match fixing and betting controversies are not new during the IPL season. Of late, reports are pouring in that a Rajasthan Royals player was offered money by a Ranji teammate for fixing a match in the ongoing IPL 8.

The match-fixing offer was made at a time when Rajasthan Royals were gearing up to play their first IPL match against Kings XI Punjab.

However, the RR player didn’t accept the offer and reported the incident to the Rajasthan Royals officials. Now, the IPL Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) are looking into the matter.

According to media reports, the BCCI officials have confirmed the news.

Rajasthan Royals will be playing their first IPL 8 match against Kings XI Punjab in Pune, today on April 10.

Cricket franchise Rajasthan Royals represent the city Jaipur in the IPL. Australian all-rounder Shane Watson is the captain of the team.

In the sixth season of IPL in 2013, RR players Sreesanth, Ankeet Chavan and Ajit Chandila were arrested for spot-fixing.

(Agencies)

IPL 2015: Chennai Super Kings beat Delhi Daredevils by one run in last-ball thriller

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csk-team

Chennai: Hosts Chennai Super Kings defeated Delhi Daredevils by one run in a thrilling Indian Premier League (IPL) match at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium here on Thursday.

Chasing a 151-run target, Delhi Daredevils, led by a valiant innings from South African Albie Morkel (73 not out), came within inches of wining the contest. Requiring a six off the last ball, the left-handed batsman just managed to score a boundary to lose agonisingly by a run.

Daredevils run chase began on a wrong note, losing three quick wickets. Veteran pacer Asish Nehra (3/25) rocked their chase, grabbing the first three wickets as his intelligent bowling forced the Delhi batsmen into playing poor strokes.

But Delhi recoverd from the blows due to some sensible batting from Morkel and Kedar Yadav (20). Together they put on a 48-run fourth wicket stand to steady the Daredevils innings and keep them in contention.

But Yadav’s dismissal in the 14th over brought this year’s IPL’s most expensive man Yuvraj singh (9) into the crease – only to perish soon after miscuing a pull shot.

From there, Daredevils’ hope rested on Morkel’s shoulders. He carried his team to the brink of a win. But in the end the burly all-rounder just couldn’t pull off a morale-boosting victory for the team that finished bottom of the heap last season.

Earlier, CSK posted 150/7 after Daredevils opted to bowl after winning the toss.

Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s (30) and his Indian teammate Ravichandran Ashwin (12 not out) guided the team to the modest total after the home team struggled to force the pace throughtout their innings.

CSK’s hope for a strong start got an early jolt when New Zealand’s World Cup hero Brendon McCullum (4) was dismissed in the second over.

Newly-married India batsman Suresh Raina (4) also didn’t last long.

Some tight bowling by the Daredevils kept the Chennai batsman on a tight leash. CSK’s desperation to break the shackles got the better of them and after reaching their 100 in the 13th over, they lost wickets at regular intervals.

South African Faf du Plessis’ (32) dismissal triggered the downslide. His untimely dismissal, coupled with opener Dwayne Smith’s (34) in the ninth over, meant that CSK’s batting momentum was broken.

Brief scores: Chennai Super Kings 150/7 (Dwayne Smith 34, Faf du Plessis 32; Natha Coultir Nile 3/30, J.P Duminy 1/15), Delhi Daredevils 149/9 (Albie Morkel 73 not out, K. Yadav 20; Asish Nehra 3/25, Dwayne Bravo 1/19).

(IANS)

Knights trounce Mumbai Indians by 7 wickets at IPL opener

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KKR

Kolkata: Powered by an enterprising half century from skipper Gautam Gambhir and a cameo from Surya Yadav, defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders trounced Mumbai Indians by seven wickets in the eighth IPL opener at the Eden Gardens here on Wednesday.

Young gun Yadav (46 not out; 20b, 1×4, 5×6) and big hitting Yusuf Pathan (14; 12b, 1×4, 1×6) took KKR to a winning 170/3 with nine balls to spare as Mumbai skipper Rohit Sharma’s elegant unbeaten 98 went in vain.

The visitors had notched up 170/3 earlier in the evening before a 50,000-plus crowd at the giant colosseum.

Yadav and Pathan were involved in a rollicking 49-run stand of only 25 balls to kick start the Knights’ title defence with a bang.

Replying to Mumbai Indians’ formidable innings, KKR had a faltering start losing last year’s top scorer Robin Uthappa (9) with only 13 on the board in the third over.

The dashing opener had scored an incredible 660 runs to pilot the Knights to their second IPL crown last year.

But the gutsy Gambhir joined hands with young gun Manish Pandey to take the advantage away from the Mumbai side.

Pandey, who enjoyed a reprieve, was aggressive from the outset, while Gambhir started off cautiously, and then came up with some scintillating strokes.

The 85-run partnership was broken in the 12th over when Pandey (40; 24b, 2×4, 3×6) perished to a catch attempting a slog-sweep.

Gambhir (57; 43b, 7×4, 1×6) rode on three dropped chances, to race to his 50 in the 14th over. He, however, departed in the next over.

Needing 38 runs from the last four overs, Surya Yadav took the hosts closer to victory hitting three lusty sixes of Jasprit Bumrah to make the chase a run-a-ball affair.

Fittingly, it was Yadav who hit the winning runs with an elegant boundary through the extra cover off Vinay Kumar.

Earlier, riding on a brilliant unbeaten 98 by skipper Rohit Sharma, Mumbai scored a formidable 168/3 after put in to bat first.

In trouble at 37/3 inside the sixth over, Mumbai Indians took the battle into the opposition’s camp with the elegant Rohit (65b, 12×4, 4×6) stitching an unbeaten 131-run partnership with Corey Anderson (55; 41b, 4×4, 3×6).

Continuing his good run at the hallowed stadium where he had scored a record shattering 264 while playing for India in November, Rohit was at his elegant best hitting boundaries at will.

With the duo of Anderson and Rohit upping the ante the pressure on the hosts was evident as they spilled three catches. The visitors clobbered 88 in the last six overs to set the Knights a challenging asking rate of 8.45.

The Knights’ trump card Sunil Narine, bowling with a remodelled action, was wicketless conceding 28 in his four overs.

South African pacer Morne Morkel was pick of the bowlers with figures of 2/18.

(IANS)

Bollywood, Cricket ramp up 'India Ka Tyohaar' at IPL-8 opening

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IPL-opening_ceremony

Kolkata: Reflecting the grandeur and exuberance of Indian festivities, the glitzy and technologically stunning opening gala of the eighth Indian Premier League (IPL) saw blockbuster Bollywood match steps with international cricket camaraderie amid a replay of magical moments of the previous editions of the tournament.

However, there were also hiccups aplenty.

A lacklustre emcee in Saif Ali Khan, a few non-functional LED lights, Shahid Kapoor almost taking a tumble and Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma stepping on a light were the low points.

But Shahid’s overall performance and Hrithik Roshan’s emotional but fiery closing act spared the blushes during the two-hour ceremony held before a sparse 15,000 crowd at the Salt Lake stadium.

The first dampener came early in the evening in the form of heavy thundershowers that pushed back the ceremony by one and a half hours, but the crowd stuck to their seats waiting for the star acts.

As the audience waited for the star performers — Hrithik, Anushka Sharma and Shahid — to fire up the show, captains of the seven of the eight teams took the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) Spirit of Cricket pledge by signing a bat.

In the cool night air, Hrithik’s fiery act against the backdrop of dazzling strobing lights and psychedelic floor projections stole the show.

The actor, who had his maiden live act after his stellar debut in “Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai” at the very same venue, made sure the Kolkata crowd got to see his best moves in his second show here.

His emotional but electrifying performance mirrored the euphoria that the masses have with regards to the IPL.

Earlier, the show got going amid a pitch black set, as dancers attired in traditional Bengali white and red sarees and holding clay lamps tore through the darkness.

An aura of serenity prevailed as composer Pritam led a choral tribute to Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore in an operatic rendition of his famed song “Anandaloke Mangalaloke”.

The graceful choreography was suitably balanced with an interlude of Swahili which whetted spectators appetite for more action.

They whistled, cheered and clapped thunderously as the suave Saif Ali Khan introduced the captains of the eight teams to the sounds of their team’s anthems.

The loudest cheers went up for Chennai Super Kings skipper M.S. Dhoni.

When defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders’ leading man Gautam Gambhir came in holding aloft the champions’ trophy, they went wild.

Gambhir put the trophy back in play, in a symbolic gesture that set the ball rolling for the one-and-a-half-month competition on the 22-yard strip.

A synergy of peppy modern sounds, rhythms of traditional Bengali instruments including the dhaak (drum) and strong acoustics gave a feel of world music and calm.

Shahid’s grand arrival on the grounds in a bright orange sleeveless shirt and shiny golden dhoti with a trendy pair of shades, atop a bike jolted the audience back into the promised “unforgettable” jamboree.

His shout to the crowd in Bengali “Kemon acho Kolkata” (how are you Kolkata?) was followed by his ride around the turf as the speakers sounded Bappi Lahiri’s cult disco-pop number “I am a Disco Dancer” kickstarting the ‘India ka Tyohaar’ (festival of India.

Shahid’s near-tumble as he blazed off into his dance act was aptly camouflaged with his killer Bollywood jhatkas and matkas peppered with hip-hop’s pops and locks to the heady beats of “Gandi Baat”, “Saree Ka Fall” and “Dhating Naach”.

In between the live acts, compere Saif made the audience participate in polls on their favourite IPL stars while the floor projections changed and the multi-hued light beams roved on the crowd.

The team captains then signed a bat affirming their pledge to the MCC’s spirit of cricket campaign.

As Virat Kohli looked on eagerly, his beau and “NH 10” actress Anushka Sharma put up a captivating display of elegance with typical Bollywood moves on “PK” tracks, “Jiya Re”, “Mundiya Nu” and “Jasba”.

Clad in a black-white jumpsuit, her flawless steps had a classic appeal though she looked a bit nervous.

Bollywood melted into rock as the multi-talented Farhan Akhtar took to the stage with his band and pumped up the arena.

Starting off with a poem from “Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara” to the accompaniment of cricket visuals, Farhan and his band, dressed in casuals, took the stage for eight minutes in a neat rock ensemble, strumming up some of his hits including “Rock On”, “Sindbad the Sailor” and “Senorita”.

In contrast, Saif’s hosting was rather lacklustre and flat.

After what seemed to be an agonising wait, a visibly happy Hrithik got the show back on track with some of his signature steps from his the superhit “Ek Pal Ka Jeena” from his debut film “Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai”.

Sealing his Kolkata connect, the star, who met West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during the day, danced draped in a golden uttarya (stole) gifted by Banerjee. His greetings to the audience in Bengali elicited loud cheers and shouts.

The show concluded with fireworks as the stars united on stage and officially signalled the start of the series.

(IANS)

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