The over-35,000-capacity Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) stadium had some stands virtually empty, particularly those with expensive tickets.

The pavilion terrace block, which is overcrowded during any international match, was almost empty. Only a few people sat in the Rs 3,000 per ticket block.

Out of the few thousand spectators, most were in the students' block, where each ticket cost Rs 50, the general block (Rs 250) and another block with tickets costing Rs 750.

"The empty stands have more to do with the free pass culture in Chandigarh and Punjab, particularly among VIPs and their families. With not many free passes being given by the IPL, people did not turn up," a member of the PCA organising committee said.

Zinta herself could be seen cheering her Mohali team led by Yuvraj Singh as they took on the Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings.

She did not have any stars to back her - unlike Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan, who had lined up several friends from filmdom at Bangalore to support his Kolkata team that trounced the Bangalore Royal Challengers in the tournament opener Friday.

PCA sources said Zinta had sent invites to several co-stars and VIPs but not many turned up.