IPL kicks off with gala parade sans Indian flavour

Zeecric Bureau

New Delhi, April 16: The second edition of Indian Premier League kicked off in South Africa with a gala parade of all the teams on Thursday.

The glamorous and high profile owners of the various teams--Shah Rukh Khan of Kolkata Knight Riders, Priety Zinta--Owner of Punjab Kings XI, Shilpa Shetty--Co-owner of Rajasthan Royal were also present at the gala parade.

The IPL will get underway on April 18 with two double-headers. On the opening day, Mumbai Indians face Chennai Super Kings and defending champion Rajasthan Royals face Bangalore Royal Challengers.

Lalit Modi, Commissioner of the league is also present on this occasion.

Meanwhile, 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 already sold out.

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.

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 (USD 5) for students to Rands 200/150 (USD 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 Rands 25 (USD 3) for students to Rands150 (USD16) for the grand stands.

The prices are relatively cheaper in the smaller venues like East London, Port Elizabeth, Kimberley and Bloemfontein, ranging between Rands 10 (USD 1) and Rands 75 (USD 8).

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