90 per cent of IPL tickets sold

Indian Premier League chairman Lalit Modi claims 90 per cent of the tickets for the cash-rich Twenty20 event, starting Satuerday have been sold at the eight venues.

"The ticket prices had been aimed at filling the stadiums," Modi said at a press conference ahead of the tournament, which starts with Chennai Super Kings taking on Mumbai Indians.

Modi said although the IPL will retur to India next year, the long-term vision is to turn it into a global brand, much the same way as the English Football Premier League.

"Spectators will see the world's best players playing competitive cricket and it is made more compelling because of he competitive instincts of the players," he said.

The IPL chief said an important aspect of the marketing of the competition was advertising and Rand 120 million (US $10 million) has been earmarked to attract spectators to the games.

The organisers are also spending time on local radio stations, introducing the players in the eight teams.