India, March 23 -- Those who peep into the sky know of the lunar standoff that happens every 18 years. It may not have been a galactic event, but Eden Gardens bursting at the seams came to a standstill tonight as the reigning King of a nation's heart Shah Rukh Khan himself took to centrestage to host the opening ceremony of the 18th edition of IPL.

SRK, who goes by many names, said, "IPL turning 18 is special. This is not only the best league in the world but also the most competitive. Here talent meets opportunity and that has been showcased with the kind of stars this tournament has produced. IPL has given fans electrifying cricket over the years. We not only celebrate the tournament turning 18, but also an era of uamatched competition...