The Indian Premier League (IPL) is all set to commence at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Friday (March 31). The first match will be played between the Chennai Super Kings and the Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad and this year there is set to be a grand opening ceremony which will be organised before the curtain-raiser.
The organisers of the blockbuster competition have now confirmed that Tamannah Bhatia will perform in the opening ceremony. The Indian actor has featured in Bollywood movies apart from being a star of Tamil and Telugu movies, most famously being part of the famous Bahubali franchise helmed by SS Rajamouli.
Check out the official announcement here:
Meanwhile, this edition of the T20 tournament will be different in many ways than its predecessors. While the competition will return to its traditional home and away format this year, there are also several new rules which will be implemented this season. Captains of the franchises, for instance, will walk to the toss with two team sheets and will exchange sheets after the toss. This will help the teams to play their best XI depending upon they are batting or bowling first.
This will be the second time such a rule has been implemented in a T20 League with South Africa's SA20 having already incorporated the same in its first season. In addition, an over-rate penalty of just four fielders outside the 30-yard circle for each over bowled after the given time is over will be imposed. Moreover, an "unfair movement" by a fielder or a wicketkeeper will mean a dead ball and five-run penalty in new additions to the IPL Playing conditions.