Mumbai/Chennai, Apr.15 : Preparations for the Twenty20 cricket matches of the Indian Premier League are in full steam at Dr. D Y Patil Stadium in Mumbai, where a couple of matches will be played.

The stadium has been equipped international standard facilities, claimed Rajesh Patil, president of the Dr. D.Y.Patil Stadium Managing Committee.

"We have tried to provide different conditions here. Two hundred tonnes of sand for making the wicket has been imported from Durban, Pretoria by ship, which landed at the Nava Sheva Port. I feel that this is the first ever experiment in India when sand has been imported from abroad. And, we are trying to create the kind of pitch that was in South Africa during the Twenty20 World Cup," said Patil.

He also said that foolproof security arrangements such as CCTV cameras and private security guards have been made.

"We have tried to create a number of entry and exit gates, so that the spectators can easily enter and exit the stadium. So, from the security point of view, we have added several features to it so that the security is handled efficiently," added Patil.

A lush green out field has been created and 1500 vehicles can be parked at one time.

Built under the auspices of renowned educationist Dr. D Y Patil, the stadium was officially inaugurated on March 4, 2008.

The Mumbai Indians, which is owned by the Reliance Group, will play five of their matches at this stadium.

Meanwhile, Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, who is an international member of the Chennai Sper Kings, said he was prepared to participate in the tournament.

"I think the spinners will have a bigger role and Indian wickets might also help a bit. And I think there just cannot be a normal spinner because you have to be a good spinner to get...Because you are playing with a lot of good players rather than...because any team you don't think is a weak team. Everyone is equal I think when you start in the game, how you will play on the day is the most thing and I think I am very prepared for that," Murali said after a practice session in Chennai on Tuesday.

The Indian Premier League is a new concept unveiled by the Indian cricket board for Twenty-20 cricket to be played along the lines of soccer's English Premier League and the National Basketball Association in the US.

The championship would feature eight franchisee teams of the IPL-Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, Mohali and Mumbai to vie for the cash rich trophy.

During the IPL Twenty20 league tournament, 59 matches will be played in a span of 44 days starting April 18.

ANI