IPL frenzy returns to Bengaluru with a bang

Bengaluru, April 8 (IANS) The 10th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) here brought frenzied fans back to the Chinnaswamy stadium in droves on Saturday and enlivened them with a rousing song-and-dance event.

The league tie between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) - their first game on ome turf - against Delhi Daredevils (DD) kicked off on an entertaining note with model-turned-actress Kriti Sanon and pop singer Benny Dayal rocking the fans with a band of dancers and folk artistes.

"The IPL has decided to start the tournament at every venue with a cultural event to entertain the fans from this year where the hosts play their first game," an organiser told IANS after Sanon and Dayal treated the fans with thrilling dance moves and songs while fireworks dazzled the venue.

RCB stand-in captain Shane Watson and Delhi skipper Zaheer Khan entered the ground standing in two battery-driven cars and posed for photographs with the trophy.

Sanon also entered the ground in grand style seated in a heart-shaped palanquin flanked by eagle-size wings and waving to the cheering fans.

In her first live show, she sang "Tukur Tukur" and "Manma Emotion" from "Dilwale" and "Whistle Baja" from her debut film "Heropanti".

"The craze for cricket in India is more than that for Bollywood so I was excited to perform," Sanon told the audience as the 20-minute show ended.

"It's exciting to see the IPL event start off with entertainment, giving a perfect start to the season. It's refreshing as we didn't expect to be treated to musical and dance extravaganza before the game," said S. Deepak, a college student, in the crowded eastern stands.

RCB was playing its second game after losing its opening match to Sunrisers Hyderabad by 35 runs in Hyderabad on Wednesday.