IPL5: Glam over cricket in subdued opener

They tried their best to emulate the flamboyance witnessed in the initial IPL opening ceremonies. But Tuesday's show demonstrated that the current dispensation has some distance to travel before matching the benchmark set at the outset by the glitzy league. In terms of cash, probably, a few millions more were spent this time, but the entertainment quotient was not really up to the mark. Despite a brilliant star cast, and a large crowd, something was still amiss. The stars put on acts of individual brilliance but the coordination was missing. Getting together Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra and pop icon Katy Perry for the opening show was a coup or sorts. And Bachchan, Salman and Perry brightened the evening with their classy individual efforts. Perception battle Fighting the perception that the IPL is losing steam, its bosses went all out to make a statement. The idea was to create a buzz, and a strong opening in cinematic parlance. The ceremony drew thousands of young people and they had a gala time. While it was a night dominated by cine and pop stars - right from Bachchan rendering a cricket-themed poem, the crowd didn't let the cricketers feel left out. Every time their faces were flashed on the screen or they walked on stage to take the oath of fair play, the fans went berserk, with the loudest cheer reserved for home team skipper, MS Dhoni. Apart from that, it was a typical Bollywood night. The language didn't matter as they danced away to the popular Hindi numbers. "If the start has been so great, you can think of how it's going to finish," said IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla. Keep young fingers crossed! Good news for players The proceeds from the IPL play-offs will go to select 185 senior cricketers, the BCCI president N Srinivasan announced at the opening ceremony. Source-Hindustan Times