Fans are crestfallen with BCCI’s ticketing arrangements for the upcoming IPL 2023 Final. With the physical collection of tickets, a huge crowd formed outside the Narendra Modi Stadium, causing a stampede-like situation. The warning signs are there for the Indian cricket board, with the venue set to host the World Cup Final and the India vs Pakistan game. Follow Indian Premier League LIVE Updates on Insidesport.IN
Thousands of fans gathered outside the Narendra Modi Stadium on Thursday to get their hands on tickets for the IPL 2023 Final. Amid the scorching heat, many waited for more than a couple of hours resulting in a stampede-like situation. Some fainted under the extreme heat, leaving them disappointed with the arrangements made by BCCI. Despite booking tickets online for the IPL 2023 final through Paytm Insider, fans need to collect physical tickets at Box Office. The commotion lead to a lot of ruckus with unconfirmed reports of lathi charge also emerging. While the Narendra Modi Stadium boasts of a world-record capacity, the ground has small exits, causing further issues for the authorities.
Ticket gaffe raises serious questions for BCCI:
- Will BCCI and ICC choose e-ticket instead of physical ones?
- Is GCA capable enough to handle a world record crowd for India vs Pakistan match?
- Should ICC and BCCI have different ticketing partner for WC?
Such mismanagement to get @IPL
— Nirmal Shah (@NirmalShah2307) May 25, 2023
Match ticket At Narendra Modi Stadium…booked online with @paytminsider…No cooperation in Such 45degree temperature @PMOIndia @ModiStadium @StadiumMotera@CMOGuj @JayShah @BCCI @AhmedabadPolice @TOIAhmedabad @AmitShahOffice pic.twitter.com/y1xCfy7HqS
It really raises the question of whether the Gujarat Cricket Association and the BCCI can handle the crowd that turns up at the venue for the India vs Pakistan match. A much higher profile game, a similar crowd gathering is expected for tickets to the game during the World Cup. Ahmedabad is the favourite to host the IND vs PAK game, and a similar situation could create further problems. The richest cricket board will have a task at hand, especially with extra security and personnel likely to be deployed.
The BCCI thus will introduce e-tickets. The physical collection of online tickets is a problem for the ticketing partners and the BCCI and the Indian cricket board are keen on implementing a completely online system for the game. For the IPL 2023 final, ticket booths are set up near Motera, for fans to collect their passes between 11 AM to 6 PM.
‘There will be e-tickets for India vs Pakistan game, WC Final’
“Yes, physical ticket creates an issue but you must understand it is different from one association to the other. In Chennai, it was not an issue but it has become an issue in Ahmedabad. Going forward, we will only have e-tickets to avoid such situations. We are not sure whether India vs Pakistan match will be in Ahmedabad. But for sure, there will be e-tickets for WC including the final,” a senior BCCI official told InsideSport.
Currently, PayTm Insider is BCCI’s official ticketing partner. The implementation of e-tickets would be a huge boost to the Indian fans. it certainly reduces queues outside the stadium. Furthermore, fans do not have to arrive at the venue before the game which reduces travel costs. As things stand, a number of CSK fans had to make the trip to Ahmedabad early for the physical collection of tickets. An e-ticket system would have allowed them to arrive directly on match day. While BCCI promises an e-ticketing experience for the World Cup, the ICC will also have a say on the same.
The World Cup 2023 kicks off in October and will be played across 12 venues. BCCI and the ICC are yet to announce the schedule but the India vs Pakistan clash is likely to be played on October 15 at the Narendra Modi Stadium. The 100,000-capacity stadium will also host the World Cup final on November 19.
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