Jump to content

IPL opening ceremony LIVE


SachDan

Recommended Posts

6.55 pm: Lalit Modi's addressing the world now. "We may have been physically absent last year but we were with you heart and soul ..." Modi's comparing the IPL's evolution to something like Shakespeare's seven ages of man. Childhood, adolescence, adulthood. Does he know what's next? 6.45 pm: "The IPL is back," booms Ravi Shastri, promising those at the DY Patil a "spectacular evening". I've been told that the stadium is about 40% full. The eight captains are trooping on the field to affirm their commitment to the Spirit of Cricket. Gilchrist is the first to sign the banner. Ganguly is next and he looks older than last year. Warney's next, and he looks younger, spiky hair and all. Gambhir is leading Delhi this year, not Sehwag. Gambhir always looks intense. Shastri's going to have a hoarse voice by the end of this. "Captain Cool," he screams, calling Dhoni up, then gushes over Sangakkara, calling him magnificent. Kumble's the second last going up, but the crowd are already chanting the next captain's name ... "Sachin, Sachin". The decibel levels soar as he walks up. Terrific. 6.30 pm: Navjot Sidhu's back! He's part of the pre-match programming. How long before we hear, "The ball went so high, it kissed an air hostess before it came down?" The Mumbai Indians have a new strip, there's a silver band running across the shoulders which Sachin Tendulkar says stands for the Bandra-Worli sea link. Tendulkar's been asked who he thinks will be Mumbai's toughest competition. He beats around the bush before evading the question! This weekend also sees the start of the 2010 Formula One season and India not only have a team to follow - Force India - but also a driver - Karun Chandhok. For live commentary, analysis, reports and photos, check out our sister site ESPNF1 6.15 pm: Welcome to Cricinfo's coverage of the 60-match behemoth that is IPL 2010. Today's opening game is between the defending champions, Deccan Chargers, and Kolkata Knight Riders, for whom the only way is up. The match, which is at the DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai, will be preceded by an opening ceremony ... if you're fans of Lionel Ritchie, UB40 or Abba Revival, don't miss it. If not ... the cricket begins at 8.00 pm. George Binoy and Kanishkaa Balachandiran will be your commentators today ... "We're back [in India]," says a super enthusiastic Lalit Modi. "We're going to give them a show over the next 46 days." He's speaking way too fast for me to type it all down ... excited, gung-ho, ready to start, is the gist of his message. He's waving to the crowd now, the DY Patil isn't full as yet, but it will get there
www.cricinfo.com/IPL
Link to comment
Share on other sites

×
×
  • Create New...