Lionel Richie to perform at IPL Opening Ceremony

Mumbai, Mar 10 : The D.Y. Patil at Navi Mumbai will be the epicenter of Indian and global cricket fans alike as the DLF Indian Premier League 2010 kicks-off here on March 12. The cricketing quotient aside, fans will be treated to an eye-catching array of global artists and entertainers at the Grand Opening Ceremony on Thursday.

According to an IPL release, the Opening Ceremony, executed by DNA Entertainment Networks, promises to be a breathtaking visual extravaganza which will showcase international performers Lionel Richie, Ali Campbell of UB40's and Bjorn Again. It promises to be the most extensive hour of entertainment ever conceived and executed in India.

Prior to the commencement of the Opening Ceremony, the eight team captains participating in DLF IPL 2010 will take the "MCC - Spirit of Cricket" oath to respect their opponents, their teams and their umpires. The captains will then sign the Spirit of Cricket Board as an attestation to play the game within the spirit of cricket.

In line with the IPL's partnership with the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), the league's captains will also sign a globe made of recyclable material to demonstrate their commitment to reducing their individual, and the league's, carbon footprint.

The Opening Ceremony's entertainment will then kick-off in earnest with internationally-renowned star, UB40's Ali Campbell, performing the all-time hit song "Can't Help Falling in Love" supported by a troupe of dancers in colorful costumes.

Bjorn Again will then take center-stage to entertain fans at the stadium and at home with ABBA's super hit song"Dancing Queen" accompanied by 16 dancers in retro costumes. Towards the end of Bjorn Again's performance, 240 performers wearing LED costumes that glow in the dark will move towards the center stage and create the chakra and its 24 spokes to symbolise IPL's return back home to India.

Next on stage will be a percussionist while the center stage transforms itself with 12m high borne, inflatable screens rises to reveal some shadow performers perform a synchronised dance. As the shadow artists perform, the eight team flags will be revealed in a theatrical fashion through wind machines. This will be followed by a brief video collage titled "Journey of IPL" based on the IPL's glorious three-year journey to emerge as of the hottest sporting leagues in the world.

The Bollywood segment of the show will then kick-on with the entrance of starlet Deepika Padukone along with 40 dancers. Deepika will perform to a medley of "Tonight's Going to be Good Night" from the Black Eyed Peas, "Teri Adayein" from Karthik calling Karthik, and "TWIST" from Love Aaj Kal.

Hoola Hoop juggling artists will then create the logos of the eight IPL teams using LED glow sticks, which will be followed by a breathtaking laser show.

For the grand final, legendary pop icon Lionel Richie will perform his hit single "Dancing on the Ceiling" as all the artists and performers converge onto the center stage. The ceremony will culminate in the largest fireworks display ever to light up the Navi Mumbai sky to herald the start of DLF Indian Premier League 2010.

As the festivities come to a close, the real action will begin with the opening match between the Deccan Chargers and Kolkata Knight Riders at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.