The popular cricket tournament, The Indian Premier League (IPL) is all slated to begin from Saturday evening in all its glitz and colour in Chennai. Chennai Super Kings will lock horn with host Royal Challengers Bangalore at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. Unlike the previous 11 seasons, this time IPL won't kick off with an opening ceremony but military bands are said to perform at the venue.

The first match of IPL 2019 today, Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore

According to the reports,  the Madras Regiment Band based out of Chennai will be kickoff the 2019 edition ahead of the felicitation programme for the Indian Armed Forces. Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), in the presence of the embers of the Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA), will contribute INR 20 crore for the welfare of armed forces.

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an official close to the BCCI told indianexpress.com that “It’s about a 15 to 20-minute show which will happen. The band will perform just before the felicitation happens. The toss is being advanced by 10 mins,”  The official further added, “The game will begin at 8 pm and toss will be at 7.30. From 7.20 to 7.30, the Madras Regiment band will perform for the audience.”

This BCCI’s  move is part of the series of gestures that the body  have lined up for the Armed Forces in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack that had claimed the lives of 44 CRPF jawans in February 14.