Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) have decided to provide free popcorn and cold drinks to each fan in the 33rd match of the ongoing ODI World Cup games at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on November 2. Mumbai will be hosting the game between India and Sri Lanka on November 2, followed by Australia vs Afghanistan and the semi-finals on November 15.
In a statement, MCA president Amol Kale said that the fans will have to show their tickets at the counter and after getting it stamped they will be provided with free popcorn and a cold drink. Amol Kale further stated that MCA will bear the cost of it and apex members of the committee have agreed on the proposal.
“I had proposed to provide free one-time popcorn and cold drinks to all fans who turn up to watch World Cup games. It will be for the non-hospitality area. Fans of those who come to watch the game will have to show their ticket at the designated counter. It will get stamped and free popcorn and coke will given to each fan. The MCA will bear the cost of it. We will be starting this from the India vs Lanka game and it will be done by semis. The MCA Apex members have agreed on the proposal,” Amol Kale MCA president said in a statement.
In India’s previous match against New Zealand, Rohit Sharma’s side put the Kiwis to bat first. Men in Blue was off to a good start, reducing Kiwis to 19/2 in powerplay. But a partnership of 159 runs between Mitchell and Rachin Ravindra (75 in 87 balls, with six fours and a six) helped NZ come back in the game.
However, India made a comeback in later stages, bundling out Kiwis for 273 runs in 50 overs. Shami (5/54) was the pick of the bowlers for India. Kuldeep Yadav (2/73) was also fine with the ball. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj took a wicket each. In chase of 274, India started off well with a 71-run opening stand between skipper Rohit Sharma (46 in 40 balls, with four boundaries and four sixes) and Shubman Gill (26 in 31 balls, with five fours).
India did lose Shreyas Iyer (33), KL Rahul (27) and Suryakumar Yadav, but Virat Kohli (95* in 104 balls, with eight fours and two sixes) and Ravindra Jadeja (39* in 44 balls, three fours and a six) guided India to a four-wicket win with two overs to spare. Lockie Ferguson (2/63) was the pick of the bowlers for NZ. Trent Boult, Matt Henry and Mitchell Santner got a wicket each. Mohammed Shami was the ‘Player of the Match’ for his sensational five-wicket haul.