IPL opening ceremony: Katrina Kaif, Chris Brown, Ranveer Singh...

The Indian cricket carnival is here and Bollywood is all set to hog the limelight during the opening ceremony before the players take centrestage.

The opening ceremony of the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL) 2016 will witness a host of Bollywood and international stars performing, including Ranveer Singh, Jacqueline Fernandes, Katrina Kaif and Yo Yo Honey Singh including international musicians Chris Brown and Major Lazer.

The ceremony will be held at the National Sports Club of India (NSCI), Worli (Mumbai) on April 8 from 7.30 pm onwards.

IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla said, "We will make the IPL opening ceremony interesting this time. From Indian artists and Bollywood starts like Ranveer Singh, Jacqueline Fernandes, Katrina Kaif and Yo Yo Honey Singh will be performing."

An official statement released by Chris Brown's team read: "We are very excited to perform in India for the very first time. Looking forward to a crazy night of mayhem and meeting all my beautiful people in India."

A statement from band Major Lazer said: "All of us are excited to be back in India, bringing carnival to the fans".

Katrina has promised a 'fantastic' performance. "Cricket and Bollywood have always been closely associated and what better way for me to show my support! I will be performing live on the 8th of April and I'm totally looking forward to the experience. It is going to be fantastic!" she said.

Ranveer Singh said: "My act will honour the spirit of cricket and victory. I want to dedicate this performance to all the cricket fans across the world".

Rapper Yo! Yo! Honey Singh, who recently returned to public life after an 18-month absence, will also perform at the opening ceremony. He said: "I'm looking forward to put together a bad-ass performance for all my fans. I'll be performing some of the most iconic Yo! Yo! Honey Singh songs. I will showcase to the world how music and sport go hand-in-hand."

The first match of this season of the IPL will be held between cricket teams Mumbai Indians and Rising Pune Supergiants at the Wankhede Stadium on April 9.

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