THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) has been forced to go through anxious moments ahead of the final India-West Indies ODI after ticket sales received a lukewarm response.
Until Thursday evening, only 50 per cent — capacity is 40,000 — had been purchased, prompting KCA officials to take measures to ensure a healthy crowd when they host an ODI in the city after nearly three decades.
KCA officials felt that the heart of the problem lay in the fact that there was no offline sale. “Even educated people are calling to ask us how they can purchase tickets online,” said a KCA office-bearer. This is the first time tickets have entirely been put on sales online.
With only 20,000 tickets sold, KCA convened a press conference on Friday to sensitise the public on how they should purchase tickets. They have also sought Paytm’s — in charge of sales —help.
“We will request them to install counters in various places so as to help people purchase tickets,” said Jayesh George, convenor of the match. “After the two ODIs, especially the last one in Vizag, there has been renewed interest for purchasing tickets. Compared to other days, Thursday witnessed more people buying tickets. That’s a good sign.”
When Sports Hub had hosted an India-New Zealand T20I last year, there were more takers in the initial days of sales. KCA officials, however, are of the opinion that sales will pick up a week prior to the match. “When the teams touch down here on November 30, there will be a huge frenzy. We are expecting ticket sales to soar during that time,” Jayesh said.
shan.as@newindianexpress.com