Bathinda (Punjab), Nov 2 (IANS): After a glittering opening to the second edition of the World Cup Kabaddi in this southwest Punjab town Tuesday evening, hosts India will take on Germany on the opening day of the tournament Wednesday.

The match between the India and Germany will be played at the sports stadium in Faridkot town, 270km from Chandigarh, Punjab sports director Pargat Singh said.

The opening match of the tournament will be between Australia and Nepal followed by the India match. Canada and Afghanistan will fight it out in the third match of the day.

Fourteen teams, including hosts India and traditional rivals Pakistan are participating in the event. The other teams are Australia, Germany, Canada, Nepal, Afghanistan, Norway, Spain, Italy, Argentina, Britain, the United States and Sri Lanka.

The event got off to an elaborate start Tuesday evening at the Bathinda sports stadium with leading Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan performing at the opening ceremony.

Leading singer Sukhwinder Singh, several Punjabi artists and performers regaled the audience at the opening ceremony. The ceremony also saw a laser show and fireworks on the lines of the Commonwealth Games (CWG) in New Delhi last year.

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, his son and deputy Sukhbir Singh Badal, were present along with other dignitaries.

The Kabaddi matches will be played at 15 different venues across Punjab, including in rural areas, till Nov 20.

India had won the inaugural World Cup Kabaddi tournament, beating arch rivals Pakistan, last year.