Rajasthan Royals will be based in Cape Town, the city that will launch the IPL Season II.
The South Africans woke up on Wednesday to a shocker. A radio station announced that the Indian Premier League has been moved back to India. Even this reporter got a call and a mail from Durban checking the veracity of the news. In the end it turned out to be an April Fool’s Day prank. Many Durbanites, ‘heaved’ a sigh of relief.
Durban, the city with maximum Indians outside India, is getting ready for the IPL. The Kingsmead, the city’s cricket hub, is being spruced up. The Kwazulu Natal Cricket Union, which manages the Kingsmead, gets regular calls and inquires about the IPL matches and its ticketing. There are also inquiries about sponsorship for the matches in Durban, according to Cassim Dorcat, a top official of the local cricket association. Durban will host 16 of the 59 matches.
The organisers of the IPL, both Indian and South African, are yet to come out with the ticket prices. “We are working things out. We will announce it soon,” said Dorcat.
Meanwhile, it is clear that Durban will house two teams — Mumbai and Chennai Super Kings. Mumbai team has already held a training session in Durban. Among other teams, champions Rajasthan Royals will be based in Cape Town, the city that will launch the IPL II. The Newlands stadium in Cape Town will also be the base for Kings XI Punjab. The team will leave for Cape Town on April 5. Kolkata Knight Riders, one may note, have already left for Bloemfontein.
Delhi Daredevils is planning to have base in two cities — in Pretoria and Johannesburg. The Mohali team is leaving on April 8. Bangalore Royal Challengers’ base will be Wanderers in Johannesburg. The team’s plans are not yet known. The Deccan Chargers of Hyderabad will have their base in Pretoria.
Meanwhile, the organisers have announced that they have kept 2,000 free tickets for children below 12 years of age, apart from charging a minimal R40 for adults and R20 for scholars.
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