Lights, action, music and upsets in IPL openers
The Indian Premier League started on foreign soil with an explosion
of entertainment and two cricket upsets at Newlands Saturday.
A sell-out crowd - although there were gaps in the IPL hospitality
area - saw both last year's finalists defeated at the start of the
five-week tournament moved from India because of security concerns.
The Rajasthan Royals, the defending champions, crashed to a 75-run
defeat against the Bangalore Royal Challengers, while the Chennai Super
Kings were beaten by 19 runs by the Mumbai Indians.
For the entertainment gurus, though, that was just the prelude to a
spectacular opening ceremony.
After a presentation by the captains of the eight competing teams
dedicated to the spirit of cricket, there were speeches by IPL
commissioner Lalit Modi and South African President Kgalema Motlanthe.
Then came pop group Snow Patrol, acrobats, a laser show, fire dancers
and a fireworks display.
Batteries of multi-coloured lights and a high-tech sound system
turned the ground into a giant stage.
Modi proclaimed: "We have brought a taste of modern India to a
sports-mad country."
But he promised: "To the hundreds of millions of cricket fans in
India - we haven't forgotten you. We will be back." Earlier the cricket
was threatened by morning rain and the games were played under cloudy
skies.
A black dog managed to penetrate the security cordon around the
ground and caused an interruption of 11 minutes during the first match
between Mumbai and Chennai.
Three of India's greatest stars outshone the international players on
display.
Sachin Tendulkar made a skillful 59 not out in leading Mumbai to
victory, while Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble shone for Bangalore. Dravid
made the day's top score with 66 while Kumble took five wickets for five
runs.
CAPE TOWN, Sunday, AFP |