England vs New Zealand World Cup 2023 match opens to almost empty stadium in Ahmedabad

The ICC World Cup 2023 opening game between England and New Zealand kicked off to a nearly empty Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Thursday (October 5)

This encounter was highly anticipated as a rematch between the two teams following the dramatic World Cup final in 2019, where England claimed their maiden World Cup victory amidst significant controversy.

Surprisingly, cricket enthusiasts in India appeared disinterested in this marquee clash, resulting in poor ticket sales.

Here's what happened

• According to reports, tickets remained unsold leading up to the match, prompting organisers to distribute free tickets to 40,000-50,000 women from Ahmedabad, along with four vouchers for tea and lunch.
• Narendra Modi Stadium holds the distinction of being the world's largest cricket stadium, with a seating capacity of 1.3 lakh.
• Expectations were high for a substantial turnout at the World Cup opener.
• Several X users expressed their disappointment and criticized the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the organizers for the empty seats.

Reactions

The almost-empty stadium during the World Cup opener didn't sit well with cricket enthusiasts worldwide, and they voiced their frustrations:

'Ahmedabad doesn't seem deserving of marquee neutral games'

'What's going on here?'

'Let's talk about crowd comparisons'

'Some humorous takes on the situation'

Why this happened

• There has been growing concern about fans losing interest in the 50-over format, which can extend to 8-10 hours. With the rise of T20 cricket, interest in ODIs has reportedly waned.
• On weekdays, working professionals and schoolchildren find it challenging to attend matches.
• Former cricketer Virender Sehwag also noticed the empty seats and suggested that for non-Indian team matches, free tickets should be distributed to school and college students.

• The scorching heat in Ahmedabad further contributed to the low turnout for the England vs New Zealand game.

The bigger picture

• The World Cup 2023 will span 45 days, featuring 10 stadiums and 49 games from October 5 to November 9.

• Anticipation is high for larger crowds as the tournament progresses toward the knockout stages.

• It is expected that matches involving the Indian cricket team will draw packed stadiums.