SRK Steals Cricketers’ Thunder
Cricket fans in this lovely South African city went delirious with joy as the carnival arrived here on Thursday. Most of the world’s best cricketers – gathered here for the second edition of the DLF-Indian Premier League – went on a colourful parade, the first of its kind in cricket history.
At about 2.40 pm, the parade of 11 floats set off from just outside the city centre. The best players, coaches and trainers, franchise owners and officials and DLF-IPL officials were taken around on a 2.5km route with people lining up on either side of the streets. Employees from banks and other commercial offices poured out to the road or to the balconies of their offices.
IPL officials Chairman Lalit Modi, vice-chairman Niranjan Shah and IPL Governing Council member Ravi Shastri were on the first float. The crowds warmed up to the fact that their favourite stars were not too far behind.
The major interest then centred around Shah Rukh Khan’s Kolkata Knight Riders. King Khan did not disappoint as he was the star attraction, teaching Chris Gayle a few dance moves. Sourav Ganguly was not that conspicuous at first but later looked on from the sidelines. The star though was undoubtedly Shah Rukh Khan.
The team floats went under a bridge and it was here that the King Khan showed his charm and danced to the team song. The crowds went rapturous and it was clear who the Cape Town fans were rooting for. That was the total of the nearly 90-minute parade which certainly showed that the DLF-IPL II will have a great following just like the helicopter patrol which tracked the teams from above.
–Rakesh
KING SRK 