The third season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) contest will start on Friday evening with the defending champs-Deccan Chargers taking on the Kolkata Knight Riders in the starting match at the D Y Patil Stadium.

The first match will be preceded by an opening ceremonial occasion that will see power-pack performances by UB40, Lionel Ritchie and Bjorn Agan.

There are also expectations that Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone will also perform during the opening ceremony.

The Mumbai Indians and the Rajasthan Royals will compete during the second match.

IPL-3 will be the first ever sporting affair to be broadcast live on the well-known video sharing internet site ''Youtube''.

IPL is a Twenty20 cricket contest started by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and directed by BCCI Vice President Lalit Modi, Chairman and Commissioner for IPL.

IPL consists of eight groups or ''franchisees'' comprising players from different nations. (With Input from Agencies)