MUMBAI: The Gujarat Cricket Association’s (GCA) decision to ‘lock out’ a majority of the cricket fans on the first day of the
fourth Test between India and Australia at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad has irked Bharat Army, a global group of Indian cricket supporters.
Apparently, the GCA has decided to ‘lock out’ a major share of tickets for the first day of the Test, on March 9, due to the presence of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese.
“I’m travelling from London with some other friends specifically for this match and have paid a fortune on flights and hotels. It’s shocking that fans have been let down like this with no consideration of the financial impact," Rakesh Patel, the founder of the Bharat Army, told TOI from London on Saturday.
"We travel the world supporting Team India and booked flight tickets and hotel stay when the fixture was released and have been waiting for ticket sales to start. Yesterday, we were told that we can’t buy tickets for Day 1 of the Test. Today, they’ve opened two small blocks, but it’s still not acceptable,” said Rakesh.
Meanwhile, Cricket Australia is pitching in to help its travelling group of supporters with tickets for the opening day of the final Test.
“We are aware some Australian fans have been unable to secure tickets for the first day of the Fourth Test. A box office is being set up at the stadium for Aussie fans to buy tickets,” CA tweeted on Saturday.