Our Bureau
Dubai
This Sunday, on September 14th, India and Pakistan will be facing each other but this time there is a lot of controversy around the match. This instance might be the first time ever that the tickets for the game are not sold out. The general tickets of the match are sold but the higher-priced ones are still available, the reason behind the loss in interest could be anything from the boycott calls to the highly priced tickets.
Former Indian cricketer, Aakash Chopra said in one of his videos that this is actually happening that India is playing T20Is and the viewers are not turning up for the match. In India’s first match against the UAE, the stands were nearly empty which was a rare sight and the same thing is happening with the India-Pakistan encounter bound to happen this Sunday.
“India is playing T20I cricket and people have not come to watch the match. Is it possible? Yes, it has happened. During the India vs UAE match, the stands were almost empty. Even for the India vs Pakistan match, the general tickets are sold out, but the higher-priced tickets like the ones that cost Rs 18,000-20,000 are still available. You can try. What is happening?” Chopra said.
Chopra questioned whether this is due to the retirement of Indian stars – Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli or the prices of the tickets being too high in the UAE or the boycott calls against the match. He stated that it can be any reason or all of them but the main point of concern is that it is happening.
“Is it a side-effect of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s retirements? Or is it the highly priced tickets in the UAE where only the marquee matches sell? Or, is it the boycott calls over the India vs Pakistan match? Is that the real reason fans have such low interest in this match? Whatever may be the reason, the stadiums are empty. It might be any of the above reasons, or all of the above. The issue is concerning,” Chopra said.
