Mumbai, Apr 1: If you thought that the whole world is out to play a prank on you because of April Fool's Day, then read on for the biggest joke of all. If you are dying to catch a piece of the action and are thinking to pull a few strings to get a ticket for the finale match between India and Sri Lanka, you might have to dish out a few lakhs for the purpose. Yes, you heard it right. Reports have emerged that the tickets for the match are selling at Rs 1.25 lakh in the black market.

With the battle lines drawn and the crowd waiting with baited breath on who will lift the World Cup on Saturday at the Wankhede Stadium, the black marketeers are out in full form to reap the benefits of the hype.

The surprising fact is that people are ready to burn their wallet for this once-in-a lifetime opportunity to catch the demigods of the cricketing world live in action. The ticket that is normally priced at Rs 37,500 for the West Avenue stand is now selling at a whopping Rs 1.25 lakh.

The ticket price shot up the roof after India slammed Pakistan ousting them out of the World Cup race. That particular match generated a lot of hype with Mohali coming to a standstill as the venue of the much-anticipated semi-final match. The Ind-Pak match results immediately upped the ticket price for the finale with everyone scrambling to catch a piece of the action.

The tickets that were selling for Rs 1,500 earlier is selling as hot cakes for for Rs 18,000 and above; while the Rs 5,000 north-stand ticket is sold by black marketeers at Rs 36,000. With celebrities, politicians and others in the bureaucratic circles who seems to be charged up for the finale, that will see India sweat to redeem the dream run of 1983.

With people making a killing with selling the tickets and cashing in on the renewed frenzy, fans are utilizing every opportunity by hook or crook to grab a ticket. With people, young and old standing outside the Wankhede Stadium right from Friday morning, the excitement is truly infectious.

Some popular auction sites have also got into the fray to cash in on the excitement by selling tickets for the 'real deal' at US $2,500. If you really want to show off your clout and want to rub shoulders with the who' who in the social circuit, be prepared to dole out for Rs 2.5 lakh for a single ticket.

With the police and other security personnel focusing their attention on securing the stadium into a fortress of security and not giving too much attention on the rampant black marketing happening in the area, such people seem to be having free hand and are earning a quick buck in the process.

OneIndia News