THE sixth edition of the Indian Premier League kicked off yesterday with its annual fare of dance, lights and music. At Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium, Bollywood actors Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, Katrina Kaif, music stars Bappi Lahiri and Usha Uthup performed before a packed house.

American rapper Pitbull took over after the Indian acts, creating a diversion for T20 tournament that has had a large share of controversies in the last month.
Earlier in the evening, the nine captains of the IPL signed the ICC Spirit of Cricket document – an annual pledge captains make at the IPL. Some live up to it, some don’t.
The fans poured in for the opening ceremony from New Delhi, Mumbai and even Chandigarh.
“We took a train yesterday (Monday) and reached today,” said Delhi Daredevils supporter Jasdev Singh, who came all the way from the national capital.
“It’s a great atmosphere here. Shah Rukh (Khan), Katrina (Kaif), Deepika Padukone, and Pitbull – that makes for a heady combination,” said Singh before entering the venue with his friends.
The group proposed staying back in Kolkata for today’s tournament opener between Delhi Daredevils and Kolkata Knight Riders.