Tickets for inaugural double-header sold out

The tickets for the double-header in Cape Town on April 18 between the Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings, and Rajasthan Royals versus Royal Challengers Bangalore, have been sold out within hours of going on sale online, the IPL said in a media release today.

The IPL had announced the sale of online tickets for the second season in South Africa with the tickets for the first two matches priced between R 50 for students to R 200/150 for the grand stands, inclusive of the opening ceremony. Kingsmead in Durban hosts 16 games, the most for a single venue, and the tickets are priced between R 25 for students to R 150 for the grand stands.

The organisers have focused on making the tickets affordable in order to attract youngsters to the event. The tournament had to be moved out of India due to the general elections in the country.

The prices are relatively cheaper in the smaller venues like East London, Port Elizabeth, Kimberley and Bloemfontein, ranging between R 10 and R 75.

Lalit Modi, the IPL commissioner, was extremely happy with the way ticket sales had progressed for the inaugural double-header weekend. "A sellout crowd at the Sahara Park Newlands would be a dream start for the 2009 season and I would like to thank the fans for all their support," he said. "I hope fans all around the Rainbow Nation and from India continue to display their solidarity and acceptance of the Indian Premier League in this manner. I look forward to an exciting season of cricket and entertainment in the days to come."

"We had promised our fans in the Rainbow Nation of a non-stop cricket carnival and the attractive ticket pricing. I think should be a huge impetus for fans to come and see some of the best cricketing talent in the world, display their prowess on the field."

Fans can buy tickets at the official website www.computicket.com.