IPL 9: Dwayne Bravo has a 'Champion' opening at ceremony

A Glitzy mix of Bollywood razzmatazz and high-octane performances, including that of West Indian cricketer Dwayne Bravo's smash-hit rap ‘Champion dance', marked a glittering opening ceremony which set the ball rolling for the ninth edition of the IPL in Mumbai yesterday.

Dwayne Bravo performs during the IPL opening ceremony at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Stadium in Worli yesterday. PIC: IPL/SPORTZPICS

The two hour and 15 minute long event was less spectacular as compared to the previous editions but the cine stars still managed to put up an entertaining show, enthralling the gathering at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Stadium at the National Sports Club of India.

Bollywood actors Ranveer Singh, Katrina Kaif, Jacqueline Fernandez and Punjabi rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh kept the audience glued to their seats during the opening gala attended by the BCCI top brass, franchise team owners, players and support staff of all the eight participating teams.

The crowd at the indoor stadium enjoyed every bit of Bravo's much-anticipated ‘Champion Dance'. In white blazer and black trousers, Bravo, a part of the West Indies World Twenty20 winning team, swayed to his ‘Champion dance' as the fellow cricketers and crowd cheered him.

Bravo also danced to another number ‘Chalo Chalo' and was joined on the stage by Bollywood playback singer Ankit Tewari who sang an Indian version of ‘Champion' ‘Hindustan Mein Bade Bade Champion'.

Bollywood stars rock
Like earlier opening ceremonies, the cricket segment was short and limited to only the oath taking ceremony by the skippers of the eight teams. Indian team Director Ravi Shastri ushered the eight captains to sign the MCC Spirit of Cricket pledge for fair play.

The show began with the entry of Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez who performed to ‘Yaar Na Milay Mar Jawa' from the movie ‘Kick' and ‘Sooraj Dooba' from ‘Roy'. It was followed by an impressive performance by Kings United Group - world championship hip hop bronze medallists - which added spice to the evening.

Katrina, in black tights and golden top, performed ‘Dhoom Machale', ‘Bang Bang' and ‘Afghan Jalebi' before Bravo's ‘Champion Dance' took centerstage.