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Fireworks explode during the opening ceremony. AP
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Bollywood actors Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff perform during the opening ceremony of the Indian Premier League's 2024 season before the first match between Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Friday, March 22, 2024. AP
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Indian music composer and singer AR Rahman performs. AFP
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Chennai Super Kings' fans cheer before the start of the Indian Premier League match between Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore. AFP
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Fans cheer before the opening match of the Indian Premier League. AP
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Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar performs. AFP
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Artists perform during the opening ceremony of the Indian Premier League cricket tournament before the opening match between Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Chennai, India, Friday, March 22, 2024. (AP Photo/R. Parthibhan)
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Bollywood actors Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff, right, during the opening ceremony of the Indian Premier League season in Chennai. AFP
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Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar, centre, performs during the opening ceremony. AFP
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A firework display during the opening ceremony of the Indian Premier League tournament. AP
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Kathakali Artists perform during the opening ceremony. AFP
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A replica of the Indian Premier League winners' trophy is displayed on the field during the opening ceremony. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JT625ACTRI2TPSSYM3TVFDTVAE.jpg?smart=true&auth=d7debf7e6451ca031f993952a1f19b23be86fd6b5515b988577dd0fb1d231a8c&width=400&height=225)
Fans cheer before the start of the Indian Premier League match between Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ML62BZ5DB7GK7JF4YDN4FFPJ6Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=11cc50a60eb0801a78bf66de4cd028c63fe4fd5d086356326587cc32e06e5ba3&width=400&height=225)
Fireworks explode during the opening ceremony. AP
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Bollywood actors Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff perform during the opening ceremony of the Indian Premier League's 2024 season before the first match between Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Friday, March 22, 2024. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2VYWQMNTFHMQT2DMUBOHSWRDFM.jpg?smart=true&auth=e6c9079325ee4325788da95ff94f51fde11540ab3d48d2cadc0a954449c13506&width=400&height=225)
Indian music composer and singer AR Rahman performs. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DN6VRBSF4HYFQU6A7NY3RXQNH4.jpg?smart=true&auth=b0427d6f92deefdb4bdebf57e08d9c43249c4cea0d7bdc3121344e488e3eb20e&width=400&height=225)
Chennai Super Kings' fans cheer before the start of the Indian Premier League match between Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TL3KKPK2EEVJODY4NFWDKAPFNE.jpg?smart=true&auth=e17fa724a1d04223e7bffba43b9481b0b123df4da5b65ffa32792df871275664&width=400&height=225)
Fans cheer before the opening match of the Indian Premier League. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BKDBKQWTB5BHTFB6JKPE3YYZXE.jpg?smart=true&auth=1c2b7f67793babe15b2b3c1ed502b90b05f4f12de84a0944400bf0c18361e6a3&width=400&height=225)
Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar performs. AFP
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Artists perform during the opening ceremony of the Indian Premier League cricket tournament before the opening match between Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Chennai, India, Friday, March 22, 2024. (AP Photo/R. Parthibhan)
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZPE5743547YEHT5SCWNDEFBE5Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=bc57ec37ccf7603e0f373273437bac38c5a6c4c5b5a1a3742b3de9ffabf5cc70&width=400&height=225)
Bollywood actors Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff, right, during the opening ceremony of the Indian Premier League season in Chennai. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/23ADLHNHRULDEELWN6JJEV73QM.jpg?smart=true&auth=57ccd6eb8342bd244f9bf9bb0ca9672bec7276138c89e9e3354528329d1aa08a&width=400&height=225)
Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar, centre, performs during the opening ceremony. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4G2NXBJ5FHGZ3QCOV3ASI3KSRI.jpg?smart=true&auth=4e6a899906d33d39c6b44c401644703ca23c6a7d568d0b36da1c7f1b2d6cf8fd&width=400&height=225)
A firework display during the opening ceremony of the Indian Premier League tournament. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FYTXYA4LUSRKOC5WPGM66MFTYU.jpg?smart=true&auth=877e569d533d2feb24e0a76f28754c801da0e194767c8507808700eb892e882b&width=400&height=225)
Kathakali Artists perform during the opening ceremony. AFP
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A replica of the Indian Premier League winners' trophy is displayed on the field during the opening ceremony. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JT625ACTRI2TPSSYM3TVFDTVAE.jpg?smart=true&auth=d7debf7e6451ca031f993952a1f19b23be86fd6b5515b988577dd0fb1d231a8c&width=400&height=225)
Fans cheer before the start of the Indian Premier League match between Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ML62BZ5DB7GK7JF4YDN4FFPJ6Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=11cc50a60eb0801a78bf66de4cd028c63fe4fd5d086356326587cc32e06e5ba3&width=400&height=225)
Fireworks explode during the opening ceremony. AP
IPL 2024: Spectacular opening ceremony kicks off new season in style
Curtain-raiser sets stage for clash of titans as Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni face off in first game in Chennai
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The National
22 March, 2024
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