Bangalore, Oct 8 (IANS) Dazzling lazer show, breathtaking fireworks, martial arts by Shaolin monks, Japanese drummers and pop star Shaggy, Jamelia and Chaka Khan belting out their popular numbers Thursday launched the Champions League T20 at the nearly full Chinnaswamy stadium here.
The stadium, with a capacity of about 40,000, roared as the spectacular opening ceremony began with captains of the 12 teams exchanging flags, taking the "MCC - Spirit of Cricket" oath and leaving their hand prints on clay.
About 200 school children did a choreographed sequence to the Champions League Twenty20 theme song, revealed the team logos and released balloons.
A team of 12 Japanese drummers electrifed the atmosphere, and they were followed by international dancers.
Grammy Award winner Chakha Khan wowed the audicence with her hit single "I feel for you."
Acrobatic Cube artists, who took the stage, got a thunderous applause for their display.
The Shaolin monks, dressed in bright golden yellow and red dress left the audience spellbound with their Tai Chi, Kung Fu and Chi Kung movements and dragon dance.
Kerala's Kalaripayattu artists matched the Shaolin monks with the display of their mastery of the ancient martial art from of the state.
Reggae artist and Grammy Award winner Shaggy belted out his hit "Feel the rush", accompanied by a multi-coloured laser show.
British pop star Jamelia followed with her super hit "Superstar".
All the artists, including the children, converged onto the field to a synchronized segment of lights, laser, concert sound as fireworks lit the sky over the Chinnaswamy Stadium for a spectacular climax to the opening ceremony.
Earlier, IPL commissioner Lalit Modi declared the league open, saying: "Today marks a change for the better. We look forward to athletes forgetting their differences and invite competitiveness in a constructive manner."
"There's no better time to unveil a new format. CLT20 will help to grow a global fan base for the sport. And all this is possible because of the vision of the three founding members - Cricket South Africa, Cricket Australia and the BCCI," he said.