Sell-out crowd for first India-Aussie ODI

Four days ahead of the first match of the one-day series between India and Australia at Bangalore, excitement is already in the air as a sell-out crowd gears up for the limited overs game.

Tickets for the September 29 match were sold in no time, fuelled by India's sterling performance in the Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa.

Fans made a beeline on Sunday evening itself, much earlier than the time the counters were to open the next day. By the afternoon "Tickets Sold Out" board greeted the fans.

This time, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) had also facilitated booking of tickets online which contributed to the quick offtake.

"Tickets for one-day internationals normally get sold fast. But this time, it was very quick thanks to India's performance in the Twenty20 World Cup," a KSCA official said.

Meanwhile, India's win at the Twenty20 World Cup sparked off wild celebrations in the city which went on till mid-night in some areas. Boisterous fans poured into M G Road and Brigade Road and some junctions in large numbers.

Bursting of crackers, honking and singing of patriotic songs marked the celebrations as delirious fans gave vent to their feelings. Police and traffic cops had a tough time to bring things in order and in some places, they even joined the party.

India's bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad and batsman Robin Uthappa, who hail from Karnataka, came in for special praise.