THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The third One-Day International (ODI) in the ongoing series between India and Sri Lanka, to be played at the Karyavattom Greenfield International Stadium on Sunday, has failed to enthuse cricket fans in the state. The teams landed in the city on Friday.
Ticket sales until Saturday evening were in the 5,000-6,000 range, according to sources. The stadium has seating for 35,000 and the sales will continue until match time. Tickets are available for Rs 2,000, Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 — which is exclusively for students. All tickets will bear an additional 18% GST and 12% entertainment tax.
Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) sources have cited multiple factors for the cold response. The longer format has started to fall afoul of the younger crowd that will lap up anything T20 thrown at them.
KCA joint secretary Bineesh Kodiyeri blamed CBSE exams and the Sabarimala season for the poor ticket sales. He also pointed fingers at the waning interest for the 50-over format. Bineesh expects considerable sales on matchday that would fill the stadium to at least half its capacity. The low turnout will not affect the prospects of hosting matches in future, he told reporters.
The fact that Team India have already clinched the series by winning the first two matches — rendering the third fixture inconsequential — could have impacted spectator interest, say sources. The row over the additional tax burden is also seen to have played a part. State Sports Minister V Abdurahiman’s jibe in favour of the tax had invited much ridicule. The non-inclusion of in-form Sanju Samson for the series was also not taken lightly, with the Kerala captain’s absence inviting widespread criticism on social media.