Cricketing greats, Bollywood stars and big spenders from one of the world's fastest-growing economies have converged on South Africa for the start of the Indian Premier League, a 37-day cricketing fest which has gripped the hearts and minds of the cricketing world.
And in just two days, Durban cricket enthusiasts will also experience the delights of the crackerjack tournament, with two matches scheduled for the Sahara Stadium, Kingsmead.
At 12.30pm on Tuesday the first ball will be bowled in the Kings XI Punjab versus Kolkata Knight Riders match, while the Mumbai Indians will take on the Rajasthan Royals at 4.30pm.
Bollwood stars Shahrukh Khan, Preity Zinta and Shilpa Shetty will also grace the Kingsmead and Bollywood faithful with their presence.
KwaZulu-Natal Cricket Union CEO Cassim Docrat said tickets were not sold out, but sales were "going very nicely".
"I think, because there are so many teams here and so many games, supporters can be very selective when it comes to choosing which matches they want to attend," he said.
Although there are no official figures yet, South Africa's and Durban's economies look to benefit from the visits of thousands of foreigners.
Cricket teams in Durban will be based at the Southern Sun Elangeni, the Southern Sun North Beach and the Suncoast Hotel and Towers.
More than 1 000 pupils from Alexander Sinton High School in Athlone, Cape Town, experienced some of the IPL fever when the Bollywood stars, cricket heroes and tournament officials arrived at the school on Friday to announce a R9-million corporate social investment. The school hall was filled with the noise levels joyfully high, exploding into rapturous applause when the stars arrived.
Outside, the school's 15-strong school marching band struck up a tune and welcomed IPL chairman and commissioner Lalit Modi, team owners, Bollywood stars Khan and Zinta, and several IPL captains and senior players.
Four schools in or around each host city will receive R100 000 to start a scholarship fund, with 32 schools in total benefiting.
The start of the tournament will mark a special occasion for newcomer J P Duminy, as he is now South Africa's highest paid IPL player. Last year, the honour was held by Jacques Kallis, who was sold to the Bangalore Royal Challengers for $900 000 (about R10 million).
When auctions began this year Duminy had been targeted by two IPL teams, but was eventually bought by the Mumbai Indians for the staggering amount of $950 000 by team owner Mukesh Ambani.
And in just two days, Durban cricket enthusiasts will also experience the delights of the crackerjack tournament, with two matches scheduled for the Sahara Stadium, Kingsmead.
At 12.30pm on Tuesday the first ball will be bowled in the Kings XI Punjab versus Kolkata Knight Riders match, while the Mumbai Indians will take on the Rajasthan Royals at 4.30pm.
Bollwood stars Shahrukh Khan, Preity Zinta and Shilpa Shetty will also grace the Kingsmead and Bollywood faithful with their presence.
KwaZulu-Natal Cricket Union CEO Cassim Docrat said tickets were not sold out, but sales were "going very nicely".
"I think, because there are so many teams here and so many games, supporters can be very selective when it comes to choosing which matches they want to attend," he said.
Although there are no official figures yet, South Africa's and Durban's economies look to benefit from the visits of thousands of foreigners.
Cricket teams in Durban will be based at the Southern Sun Elangeni, the Southern Sun North Beach and the Suncoast Hotel and Towers.
More than 1 000 pupils from Alexander Sinton High School in Athlone, Cape Town, experienced some of the IPL fever when the Bollywood stars, cricket heroes and tournament officials arrived at the school on Friday to announce a R9-million corporate social investment. The school hall was filled with the noise levels joyfully high, exploding into rapturous applause when the stars arrived.
Outside, the school's 15-strong school marching band struck up a tune and welcomed IPL chairman and commissioner Lalit Modi, team owners, Bollywood stars Khan and Zinta, and several IPL captains and senior players.
Four schools in or around each host city will receive R100 000 to start a scholarship fund, with 32 schools in total benefiting.
The start of the tournament will mark a special occasion for newcomer J P Duminy, as he is now South Africa's highest paid IPL player. Last year, the honour was held by Jacques Kallis, who was sold to the Bangalore Royal Challengers for $900 000 (about R10 million).
When auctions began this year Duminy had been targeted by two IPL teams, but was eventually bought by the Mumbai Indians for the staggering amount of $950 000 by team owner Mukesh Ambani.
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