IPL's opening day double-header in Cape Town sold out

New Delhi/Cape Town, April 3 (IANS) Apprehensions regarding the success of hosting the second edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) on foreign soil were lifted as tickets for the double-header on the opening day in Cape Town were sold out within two hours of the sale starting Friday.

'We are very happy that the tickets have been sold out in a flash. IPL II is going to be a carnival of India with lots of entertainment. We want to make sure that the stadiums are full and we are hopeful that South Africans will make it a part of their life,' said IPL commissioner and chairman Lalit Modi.

The 25,000 capacity Sahara Park, Newlands, in Cape Town, which has a strong Indian community, will be filled to its brim April 18 when the IPL champions Rajasthan Royals take on Bangalore Royal Challengers. It will be followed by the second match between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings.

'Cape Town has lot of Indians and that was the reason why we decided to host the first two matches there. We were hopeful that both the matches will be sold out because lot of South African players will be in action in both the matches,' a top IPL official told IANS.

The second edition of the IPL was shifted out of India after the schedule clashed with the dates of general elections in the country.

At least nine South African players, including skipper Graeme Smith, will be seen in action April 18 and will surely create local interest.

Smith, Morne Morkel and Tyron Henderson will play for Rajasthan Royals against Jacques Kallis, Mark Boucher and Dale Steyn for Bangalore. Later in the day, Jean Paul Duminy will take the field for Mumbai Indians against Makhaya Ntini and Albie Morkel, who are in Chennai Super Kings.

The tickets for the double-header are priced between Rands 50 ($5) for students to R200/150 ($22-16) for the grand stands and are inclusive of the opening ceremony.

Kingsmead in Durban hosts 16 games, the most for a single venue, and the tickets are priced between R25 ($3) for students to R150 ($16) for the grand stands.

The prices are relatively cheaper in the smaller venues like East London, Port Elizabeth, Kimberley and Bloemfontein, ranging between R10 ($1) and R75 ($8).

The matches will be held at 12.30 pm (4 pm IST) and 4.30 pm (8 pm IST) local time.