The 16th edition of the Indian Premier League has started with a bang. The opening ceremony of the IPL has light up the stage with dazzling performances from various celebrities. With Mandira Bedi’s memorable comeback, the IPL 2023 Opening Ceremony got off to a spectacular start. The well-known actor from the 1990s dabbled in cricket broadcasting but left it after a few years. Yet what a way to return: in front of a raucous audience in the biggest stadiums in the globe.
As it happened
While all was going on, Arijit Singh charmed the crowd with songs like Kesariya, Channa Mereya, and the current single, Tujhe Kitna Chaahne Lagey Hum. Following Arijit’s performance, Tamanna Bhatia dazzled the audience with some incredible dancing. Rashmika Madanna was the penultimate performance as the crowd went wild after Tamanna.
MS Dhoni, Hardik Pandya, Jay Shah, and Arun Dhumal were all invited to the stage following their performances.
Pandya carried the captains’ trophies as they arrived in chariot-like vehicles. They had a picture taken with the trophy as the event came to a close. The season opener between the defending champion Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings will take place in the same location after the major event. The IPL’s opening ceremony today is also the league’s first since last year.
At the Narendra Modi Stadium, Gujarat Titans skipper Hardik Pandya has won the toss and decided to bowl first. Although MS Dhoni’s ability to play today was questioned, the renowned captain of the Chennai Super Kings was present for the toss. Dhoni had previously stated that the 2023 IPL season might be his last. If Dhoni were to withdraw from this event, it would practically signify the end of his illustrious professional career, which would usher in a new era.
Chennai Super Kings (Playing XI): Devon Conway, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Moeen Ali, Ben Stokes, Ambati Rayudu, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni(w/c), Mitchell Santner, Deepak Chahar, Rajvardhan Hangargekar
Gujarat Titans (Playing XI): Wriddhiman Saha(w), Shubman Gill, Kane Williamson, Hardik Pandya(c), Vijay Shankar, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Mohammed Shami, Joshua Little, Yash Dayal, Alzarri Joseph
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