IPL promotions overshadow test match

Chennai, Mar 28 (UNI) The high-tech promotions of local Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket team - Chennai Super Kings - have stolen the fun and limelight from the first test match being played between India and South Africa at the M A Chidambaram here.

The promos of the local IPL team at the Chepauk stadium, the home ground of the Chennai Super Kings, catches the eye more than anything the players have done so far on the field.

The stadium has been painted yellow, symbolising the colour of Chennai Super Kings. Huge festoons have been put up, carrying the logo of the local team.

Fans in large numbers, wearing yellow T-shirts, seem to indicate that the Test match is just a prelude to the drama to follow next month. Besides, almost all the spectators were seen waving the placards of Chennai Super Kings, demanding a six or a four from Sehwag.

Special contests are being run and those in yellow T-shirts at the stadium are awarded special prizes.

The crowd turnout itself has been unusually low for the Test.

But, the organisers believe that by the time the IPL fiesta starts (from April 23), things will be totally different.

Yet, the authorities in the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) are quick to deny that the buzz and excitement of the IPL has led to a lukewarm response for the first Test match.

The Chennai Super Kings franchise is owned by India Cements, who have paid 91 million US Dollars to acquire the rights of the franchise for the next ten years.

The name 'Super Kings' was to honour the rulers of the Chola Kingdom, considered the golden era of Tamil culture, and the team logo has a Lion to reflect the King of the Jungle. Incidentally, the Chennai team playing in the rebel ICL is named 'Chennai Superstars'.

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