Shane Watson belts out `Stand By Me` to `open` IPL-7

Sydney: Australian all-rounder Shane Watson has reportedly helped open the seventh season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) by singing and playing a song to the crowd at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi.

According to News.com.au, Watson, who will pocket 2.2 million dollars if he plays out the entire tournament with the Rajasthan Royals, sang 'Stand By Me' by American singer Ben E. King, which received a warm reception.

Meanwhile, the second match of the IPL-7 between the Royal Challengers Bangalore and the Delhi Daredevils on Thursday was won by RCB by eight wickets, with Yuvraj Singh and Virat Kohli at the lead at Sharjah.

In reply to Delhi's 145 for four, based on an unbroken 110-run partnership between JP Duminy and Ross Taylor, RCB reached 146 for two off just 16.4 overs with the help of Singh (52 not out) and Kohli's dashing 49 not out off 38 deliveries.