The stage is ready for the ninth one day international cricket match to be held in Kochi. The Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) that is hosting it said that the preparations have been almost completed.
According to BCCI curator, Dheeraj Prasad who inspected the stadium with KCA office-bearers on Monday, the minimum average score expected is 260 to 270. Prasad has also expressed satisfaction with the facilities at the ground.
The drainage system has been rectified, and repair and maintenance of stadium completed.
“The worn-out chairs have been replaced. BCCI curator P R Vishwanath, who inspected the pitch earlier, was satisfied with its condition. The pitch was prepared under KCA curator Ramachandran. We are keeping the entire ground covered to prevent it from getting wet in case of rain,” said KCA president T C Mathew .
The teams are expected to land at the Cochin International Airport on Tuesday afternoon by a special chartered flight. It is for the first time that the Caribbeans will be playing in Kochi and the match is the first of the series of the five ODIs they are playing in India.
“The teams will be accorded a warm welcome in the traditional Kerala style at the airport. Unlike in the past, the teams will stay at Hotel Taj Gateway. Both the teams will have practice sessions on Wednesday,” he said.
Meanwhile the KCA has opened ticket counters. Tickets are available at five special counters set up on the premises of the stadium which will be open from 9 am to 6 pm. The tickets will also be available from the Palarivattom branch of Federal Bank. Arrangements have been made to purchase tickets online too through the website www. federal bank.co.in.
Mathew said that there has been an unprecedented demand for tickets this year. Tickets for the last two ODIs in Kochi were not sold out.
The demand for ticket is very high this year. In Kozhikode, Malappuram and Thrissur, tickets have been sold out. Therefore, those who have not purchased the ticket but plan to come to Kochi for the match should ensure that they book tickets in advance,” Mathew said.
On Wednesday, the VIP pavilion at the stadium will be named after cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar by Indian Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. An exhibition of photographs of Sachin’s memorable moments in his career will be held.