IPL stars a big hit with Durban fans

By Rivonia Naidu

Excitement swept through Durban on Wednesday as cricket fans were bowled over by the newest stars of the Indian Premier League.

While meeting ecstatic fans at Westwood Mall, Ramesh Powar, Taruwar Kohli, and Burt Cockley of the King's XI Punjab said they were thrilled to be in Durban.

King's XI Punjab is owned by popular Bollywood star Preity Zinta, Ness Wadia, Karan Paul and Mohit Burman.

The cricketers arrived in Durban this week and on Thursday will play the Royal Challengers Bangalore, captained by England star and former KwaZulu-Natal boy Kevin Pietersen.

It is the first time that Powar, Kohli and Cockley have visited South Africa and they say travelling to Durban has been a memorable experience.

"I'm having a ball - it's a shame about the weather but today seems pretty good," said Cockley who will be playing in the IPL for the first time.

The Australian bowler added: "It's pretty unfortunate that I didn't get to go to India, because it would have been amazing to experience the IPL in India, but this is great for South Africa."

Powar said he was loving South Africa, enjoying the hospitality and everything had been great fun. "For us Indians, it's also a proud thing to see how welcomed and loved IPL is in South Africa," said the all-rounder.

Kohli said he was honoured and it was "truly a pleasure" for him to be in South Africa. He said he hoped to do some sightseeing before heading home.

Fans, some of whom participated in dancing competitions to win autographed T-shirts, and others who brought cricket bats and pictures of Preity Zinta to be autographed, said they could not believe the IPL stars were in Durban.

"I am a big IPL fan and I am very excited that they are here in Durban and will be playing cricket matches here," said 15-year-old Aalia Aboo-baker, one of two winners of the dancing competition.

She said although she was a Rajasthan Royals fan, she was a bigger supporter of cricket and South African cricketers.

"Morne Morkel is my favourite," she beamed.

Eleven-year-old Devashen Mudaliar said she loved King's XI Punjab but was disappointed that she did not get to see their captain, Yuvraj Singh.

"He is my favourite, but it doesn't matter - as long as I have my bat autographed I'm really happy," said the cricket lover.