Rain, thunderstorm may play spoilsport at IPL opening ceremony

There is a high possibility of rain and thunderstorm interrupting the opening ceremony of the Indian Premier League (IPL) at the Salt Lake Stadium here on Tuesday, according to the Met office predictions.

The two-hour gala featuring Bollywood stars Farhan Akhtar, Shahid Kapoor, Anushka Sharma, Pritam and Hrithik Roshan is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m.

Regional Meteorological Centre director G.C. Debnath said apart from showers, there is a high chance of a thunderstorm striking Kolkata and a surrounding 50-km area in the afternoon.

"There is a high possibility of rain and thunderstorm around Kolkata and surrounding 50 km on Tuesday especially in the afternoon and evening. It is difficult to say if it will affect Salt Lake but chances are high," Debnath said.

The weatherman's forecast has already increased the creases on the foreheads of the organisers, who are particularly concerned about the smooth conduct of a light and laser show which is supposed to be the main attraction of the ceremony, in the event of the thunderstorm.

All eight team captains will be present at the function to take the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) Spirit of Cricket pledge.

Gautam Gambhir, captain of defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders, will put the trophy back in play, signalling the start of the 2015 season.