Tickets for IPL opening day's double-header sold out

Tickets for the double-header on the opening day of Indian Premier League's second edition at Cape Town in South Africa, scheduled on April 18, have been sold out within hours of going on sale online on Friday.

Very few tickets remained to be sold for the second day's double-header on April 19 at the same venue - Sahara Park at Newlands, the organisers announced. Commenting on sale of the IPL tickets online at www.cumputicket.com, the chairman and commissioner of the cash-rich tournament, Lalit Modi hoped that the first day of the Twenty20 league will see "a dream start for season 2009".

The first day's double-header will see last year's runners-up Chennai Super Kings clashing with Mumbai Indians which would be followed by the defending champions Rajasthan Royals taking on Royal Challengers Bangalore.

On April 19, Delhi Daredevils would clash with Kings XI Punjab, while Deccan Chargers are to take on Kolkata Knight Riders. The preliminary round-robin phase of the tournament would see 56 matches over 34 days at eight venues - Cape Town,
Johannesburg, Durban, Pretoria, East London, Port Elizabeth, Bloemfontein and Kimberley.

The two semi-finals would be held on May 22 and 23 at Pretoria and Johannesburg respectively, while the final at Johannesburg on May 24.