Bangalore, Mar 24: If anyone ever had the idea that India still has a lot of people residing below the poverty line then just show him this piece of news. A ticket in the P2 stand of the Chinnaswamy Stadium for a three-hour long IPL match is priced at, hold your breath, a whopping Rs 55,000. Yes, you read it right--- Rs 55,000.

It is not for nothing that the organisers have put up the ticket at such a premium. Apart from the benefit of watching the match from cool and comfortable confines of the stadium, you can also get a chance to hobnob with the rich and elite of the IPL.A ticket in the P2 stand allows you to watch the match with the likes of Shah Rukh Khans, Preity Zintas, Shilpa Shettys, the Mallayas, Deepika Padukone and a host of other celebrities from all walks of life.

The same ticket had in the recently concluded India Vs England World Cup match on Feb 27, cost Rs 15,000(inclusive of all foods and beverages) and in IPL 2010 was priced at Rs 44,000.

It is not that only mingling with the stars in going to burn a hole in your pocket, the fact is also that if you intend to watch a match at the Chinnaswamy, then get ready to splurge for it appears the IPL is not for the common man. Consider this, a ticket in the top-tier J Corporate stand is priced around Rs 33,000 while the same in the P4 stand costs Rs 27,500.

What a coincidence that the ticket price is revealed at a time when legendary billionaire investor Warren Buffett is in the city to promote charity (agreed, the business talk is also there). And probably keeping in mind the fact that Buffett doesn't invest in poor and emerging countries, the ticket prices may just be an indicator that India is no poor country.

Wonder who this IPL is for? Is it only for the rich and elite who can dole out the insane amounts to watch a three-hour cricket match or is it for a large chunk of the Indian youth and common who in most cases have a monthly salary less than the ticket prices.

OneIndia News