Bollywood, cricket ramp up 'India Ka Tyohaar' at IPL-8 opening

Kolkata, April 7 (IANS) Reflecting the grandeur and exuberance of Indian festivities, the glitzy and technologically stunning opening of the eighth edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL-8) began here on Tuesday at the Salt Lake stadium amid a replay of magical moments of the previous editions of the league.

The stadium erupted in celebrations even though thundershowers led to an hour-and-a-half delay.

The rain clearly failed to dampen the spirits of the nearly 15,000 patiently waiting cricket fans.

As the audience waited for the star performers -- Hrithik Roshan, Anushka Sharma and Shahid Kapoor -- to fire up the show, captains of the seven of the eight teams took the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) Spirit of Cricket pledge by signing a bat.

Sunrisers Hyderabad captain David Warner was not present, and his teammate Shikhar Dhawan stepped in to sign the bat on behalf of the Australian.