The team captains then signed a bat affirming their pledge to the MCC's spirit of cricket campaign.
As Virat Kohli looked on eagerly, his beau and "NH 10" actress Anushka Sharma put up a captivating display of elegance with typical Bollywood moves on "PK" tracks, "Jiya Re", "Mundiya Nu" and "Jasba".
Clad in a black-white jumpsuit, her flawless steps had a classic appeal though she looked a bit nervous.
Bollywood melted into rock as the multi-talented Farhan Akhtar took to the stage with his band and pumped up the arena.
Starting off with a poem from "Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara" to the accompaniment of cricket visuals, Farhan and his band, dressed in casuals, took the stage for eight minutes in a neat rock ensemble, strumming up some of his hits including "Rock On", "Sindbad the Sailor" and "Senorita".
In contrast, Saif's hosting was rather lacklustre and flat.
After what seemed to be an agonising wait, a visibly happy Hrithik got the show back on track with some of his signature steps from his the superhit "Ek Pal Ka Jeena" from his debut film "Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai".
Sealing his Kolkata connect, the star, who met West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during the day, danced draped in a golden uttarya (stole) gifted by Banerjee. His greetings to the audience in Bengali elicited loud cheers and shouts.
The show concluded with fireworks as the stars united on stage and officially signalled the start of the series.
