Lalit Modi 'not going to sleep' during IPL in South Africa

Johannesburg: The Indian Premier League (IPL) gets underway in just two weeks and the thriller at the Wanderers on Friday night between South Africa and Australia was just the appetizer the tournament needed to get the public craving more explosive action.

"I'm very, very excited about the tournament coming here (South Africa), and after seeing the crowds today I’m even more excited. The people in this country just love cricket and they will appreciate what we have to offer, it's going to be a non-stop carnival from the day we begin to the day we end, we're not going to sleep," enthused IPL chairman and commissioner Lalit Modi.

Modi was part of the capacity crowd at Liberty Life Wanderers on Friday night as South Africa beat Australia by four wickets in the first Standard Bank International Pro20 match.

With 56 games played in 34 days, across eight cities, the IPL will offer the public non-stop action from the first ball until the final ball on the 24th of May. Rajasthan Royals will begin the defence of their title in the tournament opener at Sahara Park Newlands Stadium on April 18 against Bangalore Royal Challengers.