21:50 (IST)
Well, that performance by Major Lazer rounds up the opening ceremony for tonight. But the real action begins tomorrow, when the Mumbai Indians take on the Rising Pune Supergiants in the first game of the IPL 2016 at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.
We’ve got live commentary for you as well, which starts at 6:30 PM (IST). We look forward to your company there as well. Till then, it’s goodbye and goodnight!
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21:40 (IST)
The group Major Lazer has joined them on-stage, and there is a carnival of all kinds of dance moves! The singers and dancers are taking the roof off the place with some jazzy English numbers.
21:30 (IST)
Alright, everyone on stage is set to do the ‘Champion’ dance! And here they go! Katrina, Jacqueline, Ranveer, Honey Singh, and Ranveer himself are dancing to the tunes of the ‘Champion’ anthem.
Ranveer, it seems, hadn’t left the stage, and he is there to introduce the group “Major Lazer.” He also invites Honey Singh, Katrina Kaif and Jacqueline Fernandez, and the ‘Champion’ DJ Bravo on the stage.
21:20 (IST)
Ranveer now has his Bajirao Mastaani attire on, wearing an ancient robe with the crown. Tracks from the movie being played in the background, as Bajirao displays his moves before signing off in his own royal style.
He’s certainly got the audience on their feet, as the roars emanating out of the stadium suggest.
He shreds off the cricket attire and comes to his natural self, after performing “Tune Maari Entriyaan.” He describes IPL as “Insane Party Levels.” That’s some innovation!
Alright, Ranveer Singh in the house now! He descends down to the stage on a suspended platform, dressed up as a batsman, as the scenes of an intense cricket match before his appearance make way for the star, who’s wearing a sliver helmet and sliver pads.
21:10 (IST)
David Miller, the Kings XI Punjab, would like his name changed from ‘Killer Miller’ to ‘Chiller Miller,’ he laughs, before chipping in with his thoughts on the IPL. He says that he too is looking forward to the tournament, and that captaincy will be a challenge.
However, Preity Zinta wants him to remain ‘Killer Miller’ as far as the Kings XI campaign is concerend. Miller congratulates Preity on her marriage.
21:00 (IST)
As Yo Yo signs off, bowing out riding the very toy tank that he rode when he came in, Harbhajan Singh talks about Mumbai Indians’ chances. Bhajji has his hopes pinned on Hardik Pandya, the promising all-rounder that India have unearthed.
Dressed in black and black, with a golden chain hanging around his neck, Yo Yo is now singing “Char Botal Vodka.”
Punjabi numbers are now echoing in the dome! “Manali Trance” follows!
It’s YO YO time now, as Yo Yo Honey Singh takes the stage! He makes his entrance in some style, riding a toy tank!
Keep refreshing for live updates!
20:50 (IST)
There’s a surpirise here, it seems. “Champion” wasn’t the only number that Bravo was supposed to perform. Here is “Chalo Chalo” in a Caribbean accent! Ankit Tiwari, the playback singer, now joins Bravo on-stage, with a ‘Hindi’ version of ‘Champion.’
In a white blazer, broad glasses and a microphone, Bravo looks every bit of a DJ!
Give it up for DJ Bravo!
Dwayne Bravo to perform his ‘Champion’ dance, next!
20:40 (IST)
Katrina Kaif is performing now! Seems like she’d start off with the number “Dhoom Machale” from the Dhoom Trilogy. That popular song his followed by the title track of her movie ‘Bang Bang.’
The music now switches to the song “Afghan Jalebi” from the movie Phantom. Huge roars being heard as she performes her moves. SHe’s definitely got the people jumping out of their sides.
With that, she concludes a scintillating performance.
20:30 (IST)
The captains are now posing with Anurag Thakur for a shot with the IPL trophy.
The players are now signing the MCC Spirit of Cricket pledge, which asks of them to maintain decorum on the field, and play the game hard, but in a fair manner.
Rajiv Shukla has taken the dias now, and is giving his introductory speech. He emphasizes upon the fact that the IPL has now being recognized all over the world. He throws light on the new additions to the league, such as the LED stumps, and the initiative taken by the BCCI to help the drought-hit state of Maharshtra. He thanks one and all for their participation and their time.
20:10 (IST)
Ravi Shastri takes centre stage now. He is talking about the MCC Spirit of Cricket pledge, which all 8 captains would undertake now.
First up, is the Delhi Daredevils captain, Zaheer Khan. Suresh Raina and David Miller of the Gujarat Lions and the Kings XI Punjab follow him.
Gautam Gambhir, the captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders, takes the stage next, followed by the Indian limited-overs captain MS Dhoni of the Rising Pune Supergiants.
Virat Kohli, the Royal Challengers Bangalore captain walks in next, followed by David Warner of the Sunrisers Hyderabad.
And finally, to round things up, Rohit Sharma, the leader of the defending champions, the Mumbai Indians.
Rohit brings the IPL trophy back into play an dplaces it at the centre of the stage, right in the middle of the queue formed by the captains. Rajiv Shukla and Anurag Thakur, the Chairman of the IPL and the Secretary join the captains.
20:00 (IST)
“I’m really excited for the IPL,” says Kieron Pollard. “It’s nice to be back for the IPL,” quips Ricky Ponting.
This was the scene when the captains of all 8 teams got together for the official photoshoot.
“We’re World Champions once again. We had a good World Cup. I’m really excited about the IPL as well as my performance tonight. Let’s see how it goes,” says the ‘Champion’ Dwayne Bravo, who would also be seen on stage tonight!
19:50 (IST)
Former India fast bowler Javagal Srinath is also present at the ceremony. There is a hip-hop dance group named Kings United performing on stage. They were the bronze medallists at the World Hip Hop Championships.
Hardik Pandya watches their performances wearing a Mumbai Indians overcoat.
19:40 (IST)
Jacqueline Fernandez is now on stage, performing famous Bollywood numbers, starting with “Yaar Na Mile” from the movie Kick. The song then changes to “Party On My Mind” from the movie Race-2. She finally concludes her performance with the song “Sooraj Dooba Hai” from the movie Roy.
19:30 (IST)
Pop star and playback singer Yo Yo Honey Singh would also be performing tonight.
“We have a new captain in David Miller, and we look forward to to good season,” says Preity Zinta, the co-owner of the Kings XI Punjab.
Jacqueline Fernandez seems to be very excited about performing at the VIVO IPL 2016 opening ceremony.
And so is the South African power hitter, and the captain of the Kings XI Punjab, David Miller.
19:20 (IST)
West Indian T20 superstar would be sharing stage with Major Lazer, the American dance group, as well as Bollywood celebs Ranveer Singh and Jacqueline Fernandez.
The Royal Challengers Bangalore unveiled their new jerseys, for home and away games.
The 9th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) kicks-off tonight with the opening ceremony to be held at the Dome- NSCI-SVP Stadium, Mumbai, which would be attended by the who’s who of the cricketing world as well various prominent celebrities.
Also read: IPL 2016 Opening Ceremony: Date, Time and Online Live Streaming Info
It is expected to be a glittering ceremony with the presence of Bollywood celebrities such as Katrina Kaif and Ranveer Singh, as well as, international artists and musicians such as American rapper Chris Brown, American dancehall reggae trio Major Lazer, English rapper Fuse ODG and others.
The cricketing action follows the opening ceremony immediately, on the very next day, with the defending champions, the Mumbai Indians, to take on one of the two new teams set to participate in this year’s league, the Rising Pune Supergiants. The match would take place at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, on April 9.
Also read: IPL 2016 Opening Ceremony: Event Schedule & list of Celebrities performing at IPL 9 Opening Ceremony
IPL 2016 Opening Ceremony performances
Apart from Katrina and Ranveer, actor Jacqueline Fernandez, and pop star Yo Yo Honey Singh would also be performing on the occasion. The event would begin at 7:30 PM (IST) and would be broadcast LIVE on Set MAX, Sony Six, Sony ESPN, Sony ESPN HD and Sony Six HD.
Two new teams this IPL
Due the two-year suspension that was imposed on the Chennai Super Kings and the Rajasthan Royals by the Justice Lodha Panel for their alleged involved in corrupt practices, there was an opportunity for two new teams to participate in the cash rich tournament.
That opportunity was grabbed by the Rising Pune Supergiants franchise, based in Pune, owned by the businessman Sanjiv Goenka, and the Gujarat Lions franchise, based in Rajkot, owned by Keshav Bansal of Intex Technologies.
While Pune would be led by India’s limited-overs captain MS Dhoni, the Gujarat side would be captained by Dhoni’s former CSK teammate, Suresh Raina. The home grounds for the Supergiants and the Lions are the MCA Stadium, Pune, and the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot respectively.
Several IPL heavyweights who used to be a part of the Super Kings and the Royals, such as Dwayne Bravo, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ajinkya Rahane have all been drafted into either of the two new teams.
While Pune begin their campaign against Mumbai on April 9, Gujarat Lions would be playing their first ever IPL game against the Kings XI Punjab on April 11, at the PCA Stadium, Mohali.
This IPL would, like all the previous editions, see plenty of young talent showcasing their skills in the shortest format of the game, and would be a perfect platform for young Indian cricketers to breakt into the National side.
The opening ceremony is now only an hour away, and we’ll keep you updated about everything that transpires in the opening extravaganza.
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