Photographs: BCCI
Bollywood superstar and Kolkata Knight Riders co-owner Shah Rukh Khan came up with a dazzling performance to leave an esteemed gathering of cricketers, officials and fans thrilled at the Pepsi IPL Gala Dinner, at the Emirates Palace Hotel, in Abu Dhabi, on Tuesday.
The usual glitz of the IPL opening ceremony was missing, as the Board of Control for Cricket in India, in the wake of recent controversies, decided to have a quiet gala dinner with performances from IPL superstars Shah Rukh and Deepika Padukone.
- PHOTOS: Kohli selects Anushka as his 'bride' during IPL Swayamwar!
India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni also provided some entertainment as he shook a leg with SRK.
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PHOTOS: SRK, Dhoni, Deepika delight fans at IPL Gala Dinner
Photographs: BCCI
Chennai Super Kings captain Dhoni even tried to imitate the signature SRK dance move, which left the Bollywood icon bemused.
- PHOTOS: Kohli selects Anushka as his 'bride' during IPL Swayamwar!
- …
PHOTOS: SRK, Dhoni, Deepika delight fans at IPL Gala Dinner
Photographs: BCCI
Deepika, who was part of the superhit Bollywood movie Chennai Express with SRK, also delighted as she performed to some of her recent Bollywood hit numbers.
Interestingly, during one of the acts Dhoni was seated in the chair with his hands tied, as SRK and Deepika had fun at his expense.
- PHOTOS: Kohli selects Anushka as his 'bride' during IPL Swayamwar!
- …
PHOTOS: SRK, Dhoni, Deepika delight fans at IPL Gala Dinner
Photographs: BCCI
Australia all-rounder Shane Watson was made to sing a few songs while trying his hand at the guitar, which he managed quite well and drew a lot of appreciation from the crowd.
- PHOTOS: Kohli selects Anushka as his 'bride' during IPL Swayamwar!
- …
PHOTOS: SRK, Dhoni, Deepika delight fans at IPL Gala Dinner
Photographs: BCCI
Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Virat Kohli was sporting enough to be part of the mock IPL Swayamwar when SRK tricked him into admitting his love for Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma.
'Big thanks to Shane Virat & Dhoni for being so sporting on stage. Great sportsman & even greater sporting spirit. Thanks Abu Dhabi & IPL,' Shah Rukh Khan wrote on Twitter after the event.
- PHOTOS: Kohli selects Anushka as his 'bride' during IPL Swayamwar!
- …
PHOTOS: SRK, Dhoni, Deepika delight fans at IPL Gala Dinner
Photographs: BCCI
The captains of the eight IPL franchises then came on stage and shook a leg with SRK to the hit song from his recent movie, Chennai Express.
They also signed the MCC Spirit of Cricket pledge to maintain the integrity of the game.
- PHOTOS: Kohli selects Anushka as his 'bride' during IPL Swayamwar!
- …
PHOTOS: SRK, Dhoni, Deepika delight fans at IPL Gala Dinner
Photographs: BCCI
Two of India's great batsmen will also be part of the IPL, but only off the field.
Sachin Tendulkar, who was recently named Mumbai Indians' 'Icon', is seen chatting with BCCI Interim President (IPL) Sunil Gavaskar during the event.
- PHOTOS: Kohli selects Anushka as his 'bride' during IPL Swayamwar!
- …
PHOTOS: SRK, Dhoni, Deepika delight fans at IPL Gala Dinner
Photographs: BCCI
Also seen at the IPL Gala Dinner were India captain Dhoni's wife Sakshi chatting with Mumbai Indians owner Nita Ambani.
- PHOTOS: Kohli selects Anushka as his 'bride' during IPL Swayamwar!
- …
PHOTOS: SRK, Dhoni, Deepika delight fans at IPL Gala Dinner
Photographs: BCCI
Kevin Pietersen, captain of Delhi Daredevils, also enjoyed himself at the dinner.
He even attempted the Lungi Dance.
Wearing the traditional Indian lungi, he danced to songs from the SRK-starrer Chennai Express.
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