New Delhi, March 24: Those handling the logistics will be cursing. Whether forced or planned, the Indian Premier League’s decision to go global and camp in South Africa for the second edition of the event isn’t likely to go down too well with them.

The cricketers, on the other hand, especially those domestic newbies who’d never bowled on turf where the ball carries through or batted where the bounce is high and true, are ecstatic. While the prospect of not playing in India still rankles them, the joy of playing abroad is far greater.

Vijaykumar Yomahesh, Delhi Daredevils’ fast bowler said he was secretly hoping the IPL-2 would be played in South Africa. "I remember going there as a child... and to actually play there is just a step below getting an India cap. It will be nice change to see a bouncer go over the shoulder and not see it struggling to cross waist height," he said.

Bangalore Royal Challenger’s Balachandra Akhil, a useful allrounder, saw the event’s move as a natural progression. "The last season you saw a lot of unknown players coming to the fore and making their mark. This time round, their skills would be put to the test. A complete cricketer should be able to perform in any conditions and this is an ideal platform to test them."

Members of the Mumbai Indians just couldn’t believe their luck. "Polly (Shaun Pollock) told us Lalit Modi (IPL commissioner) was here, but we didn’t know South Africa would be picked. We came in two batches to just practice... this is just perfect," said Saurabh Tiwary from Durban, one of nine players training under newly-appointed fielding coach Jonty Rhodes and veteran pacer Pollock.

Added Abhishek Nayar: "This is where the real Twenty20 frenzy started during India’s World Cup win two years ago. It’s not going to be just bowlers that will have all the fun. You saw what Yuvraj (Singh) did, right?"

While for some South Africa will be the land of opportunities come April 18, for a few it poses as a challenge of a more mundane kind. "That’s all good, but how’s the food there?" asked C.N. Gautam, the Challengers’ newest recruit for this season.