IPL cricket matches

The second season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) of T20 cricket, started in South Africa on Saturday with a glittering opening ceremony, and opening matches between the two top and bottom teams. English cricketers also made their debut in the cash-rich tournament after the IPL cricket auction in February. Kevin Pietersen led the Bangalore Royal Challengers to a 75-run victory over last season's winners, the Rajasthan Royals. In the other match on Saturday last season finalist Chennai Super Kings (CSK), who had Andrew Flintoff playing, lost out to the Mumbai Indians in a close game.

In the matches on Sunday more of the previous season's top teams lost; the Kings XI Punjab lost to the Delhi Daredevils in a rain-affected match. The Kolkatta Knight Riders (KKR) were beaten by the Deccan Chargers in the other match late last night. Most of the matches have been low-scoring with the bowlers dominating; spin wizard Anil Kumble took an incredible 5 wickets for 5 runs for the Royal Challengers. Pictured below (left to right) are team owners Shah Rukh Khan (of the KKR), Preity Zinta (Kings XI), IPL chief Lalit Modi, and Shilpa Shetty (owner of the Rajasthan Royals):