IPL Fever Is Back – The Story Till Now!

The Indian Premier League 2013 Season 6 is back with a bang! The opening ceremony was just kicked-started on the 02 April 2013 with full of glitz and glamour in Kolkata. In case you missed the highlights, here’s the story till now!

King of Bollywood Shahrukh Khan, Katrina Kaif, Deepika Padukone and Pitbull kept the audience enthralled with some entertaining performances at the IPL 2013 opening ceremony in Kolkata. The opening ceremony, rightfully began when a floating balloon girl dropped the IPL trophy into the arms of the ever-so-gambhir, KKR captain – Gautam Gambhir.  While chewing a gum, the captain of the winning team of IPL 5, then placed it upon a platform and left to join the other members.

And then, our eyes were treated to a kaleidoscope of entertainment and cricket which fundamentally formed the essence of what IPL is all about. And it did not come across as a surprise to us that the IPL 2013 opening ceremony was organised by SRK’s film company Red Chillies Entertainment.

Leading Bollywood ladies Katrina Kaif and Deepika Padukone lit the stage on fire on that night! Flaunting off her toned physique in a shimmery black halter and leather pants with knee-length boots, Deepika Padukone performed to Khuda Jaane, Angrezi Beat and Tumhi Ho Bandhu.  Her performance did enliven the atmosphere but she seemed a little tired for some reason! Check it out:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SGa3te0xoI]

And then came, in a rather strange golden cape and headgear, Katrina Kaif! Ms Kaif started off with slow numbers like Tera hone laga hoon as SRK’s voice boomed Jab Tak Hai Jaan‘s dialogues. Honestly. she seemed really uncomfortable in that hugely ridiculous gown but thank God she soon got into a black blouse and red harem pants. The crowd simply went crazy as she stepped up to hits like Sheila ki jawaani, Zara Zara Touch me, Masha-allah and Chikni Chameli. Check it out:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCKCqGMl0Qw]

SRK, as the megastar is affectionately called, is synonymous to energy! King Khan started off by reciting a Rabindranath Tagore poem and then grooved to a Don track as laser beams cut through the arena lit in fluorescent and blue. And as soon as he began jiving to Tumse milke doing the signature Qawwali steps, the crowd went wild! Thanking West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and everyone associated with IPL, Khan then broke out to a medley of his all-time super-hit numbers from Kuch Kuch Hota Hain. Grooving to Hotel room that merged into rhythmic Afro beats of Chammak Challo, SRK also gave the audience a dose of nostalgia by hitting it off to Yeh kaali kaali aankhen (my fav song!) and finally rounding it up with Criminal as he meandered onto the ground. He was phenomenal! Kolkata’s favourite Usha Uthup and Bling-Bling Bappi Lahiri also performed on stage with SRK.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FujDnHOaUF4]

American rapper Pitbull, on his second visit to India, rendered his popular international songs which got all the aunties and uncles at Salt Lake Stadium dancing enthusiastically. The pot-bellied uncles and aunties of Kolkata really seemed to enjoy songs like I’m Sexy and I know It and Give Me Everything Tonight. Umm adding to the humour, you could actually see Mamata didi looking confused on how to behave. Pitbull then introduced SRK, Deepika and Katrina back on stage and all of them gyrated to Ganganam Style before fireworks lit up the Kolkata sky!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=51UPL9JCuuQ]

So this was what the opening ceremony was all about ! Now moving on …

On the night of 3^rd April 2013, the first match of the IPL 6 was won by Kolkata Knight Riders against Delhi Daredevils! Shahrukh Khan was in high spirits at the Eden Gardens as his team – champions of the last season – continued their good run and beat their rivals quite comprehensively. His children Aryan and Suhana were there to support the team and seemed super excited. Despite being a Royal Challengers Bangalore loyalist, Deepika Padukone stayed back in Kolkata to watch the first Kolkata Knight Riders versus Delhi Daredevils match. The actor cheered for KKR and supported co-star Shahrukh Khan. And after KKR hit the winning runs, SRK and Deepika, along with the kids did a victory lap as the stadium erupted in excitement.

The night of 4^th April 2013 saw yet another scintillating performance from Chris Gayle that drove Royal Challengers Banglore (RCB) to victory against the Mumbai Indians (MI) during the 2^nd match of IPL 6. Ponting and Tendulkar got Mumbai off to a good start but Chris Gayle, who received the Man of the Match award, defeated MI for his blistering knock of 92 runs in just 58 balls with 11 fours and five sixes. Wow!

Yes guys, we are surely in store for more excitement this time round.

So, do stay tuned for some extra IPL dosage on Spotlight for this month.

Next up for the weekend:

05-Apr 2013 – Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Pune Warriors Match

06-Apr 2013 – Delhi Daredevils vs Rajasthan Royals Match

 Tell me who are you supporting?

Indian Premier League 2013
The 2013 season of the Indian Premier League, abbreviated as IPL 6 or IPL 2013, will be the sixth season of the Indian Premier League, established by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in 2007. The tournament will feature nine teams and will be held from 3 April to 26 May 2013. This will be the first season with PepsiCo as the title sponsor. The Kolkata Knight Riders are the defending champions, having won the 2012 season by defeating the Chennai Super Kings.

To know how it all started, check out IPL & It’s Journey !