Eden Gardens in Kolkata has welcomed back a 70% spectator audience for a T20 cricket match between India and New Zealand, although some fans were left unhappy due to tickets being sold primarily online.
Aside from the backlash against the online ticket sales, with numerous criticisms posted by spectators via social media who did not anticipate the online-only sales, it has been reported by The Indian Express that 11 people were arrested near Eden Gardens for allegedly selling tickets illegally.
Around 60 tickets were seized from those arrested, who were trying to sell the tickets for a higher price. Previously tickets were sold either via the website or at ticket kiosks, but fans who booked online were still able to pick up tickets at the stadium itself.
The Bengal Government allowed 70% of the capacity for the clash, amounting to around 47,600 spectators. Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020, Eden Gardens has only held one sporting event, a football cup final between Mohammedan SC and FC Goa in October.
It is the first cricketing event held at the stadium since November 2019, when India played Bangladesh in a pink ball day-night test.
The T20 International is the third match of New Zealand’s tour of India, with India winning all three. India and New Zealand will now focus their attention on two upcoming Test matches.
Image: Mudassir Ali on Unsplash
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