The Indian Premier League's 2023 edition got off to the biggest possible start with a spectacular opening ceremony, record viewership and 100,000-capacity crowd in Ahmedabad.
Defending champions Gujarat Titans started their title defence in style, easing past Chennai Super Kings in front of over 100,000 fans at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Friday.
Opening batsman Shubman Gill smashed 63 off 36 balls as Gujarat beat Chennai by five wickets with four balls to spare at the world's biggest cricket stadium and their home ground. His innings overshadowed a blistering innings by Chennai opener Ruturaj Gaekwad, who made 92 off just 50 balls in their 178-7.
The tournament got off to a rousing start with a glitzy opening ceremony and fireworks. Bollywood stars Rashmika Mandanna, Tamannaah Bhatia and singer Arijit Singh performed during the ceremony, which also included a drone show.
The match itself saw new benchmarks being set in terms of viewership. According to moneycontrol.com, online rights holders JioCinema saw a total of 60 million unique viewers with a peak concurrency of over 16 million, making it one of the biggest sporting events in the world.
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Bollywood star Rashmika Mandanna performs during the opening ceremony for IPL 2023 in Ahmedabad on Friday, March 31. AFP -
Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni during the opening ceremony of the 2023 IPL at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Friday, March 31, 2023. Sportzpics for IPL -
Drone show during the IPL 2023 opening ceremony at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Sportzpics for IPL -
Drone show during the IPL opener in Ahmedabad on Friday. Sportzpics for IPL -
More than 100,000 fans attended the opening game of IPL 2023 between Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. AFP -
Drone show during match 1 of the Tata Indian Premier League between the Gujarat Titans and the Chennai Super Kings held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on the 31st March 2023 Photo by: Vipin Pawar / SPORTZPICS for IPL -
Cricket fans arrive at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on March 31, 2023, to watch the Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 cricket match between Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings. (Photo by SAM PANTHAKY / AFP) / IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE -
Bollywood star Tamannaah Bhatia performs during the opening ceremony. AFP -
Singer Arijit Singh performs during the opening ceremony in Ahmedabad. AFP -
Bollywood star Rashmika Mandanna during the opening ceremony on Friday. AFP -
Gujarat Titans captain Hardik Pandya, left, with Chennai Super Kings' Mahendra Singh Dhoni. AFP -
Singer Arijit Singh performs in Ahmedabad. AP
