10:35 AM
Editor
Imagine the charged atmosphere if India were to play Pakistan in the World Cup quarterfinal match at Motera on March 24. The fans would be delirious, Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) authorities would be in overdrive to manage the rush at the ticket windows, and the police would be on tenterhooks after intelligence inputs of a possible terror strike during the match.
It may be too early to decide on India's opponents for the quarterfinal clash given that most teams have a few of matches to go in their own group. But the expectation is already building up. Motera's pitch is known to be batsman-friendly and if Tendulkar & Co tick, India would be one step closer to making history.
But in the end, how many fans will get seats for the crucial match? Tickets have already become a touchy issue in the World Cup with angry fans being lathicharged in Nagpur and Bangalore after they couldn't get into the stadiums for India matches.
GCA wants no chaos in ticket distribution, there is a possibility that very few may be left for the fans. A GCA official said, "After obliging the ICC, sponsors, Board for Control of Cricket in India, district associations, former players, ministers and bureaucrats, fewer tickets may be left for the public. But we will ensure more fans get in than in Chennai, Nagpur or Mumbai."
"We will decide on the number of tickets for sale in a day or two," said GCA secretary Rajesh Patel. He had earlier told TOI at least 50 per cent tickets would go to the public. India will play its last league match in Nagpur on March 20 and arrive in Ahmedabad on March 21.
It may be too early to decide on India's opponents for the quarterfinal clash given that most teams have a few of matches to go in their own group. But the expectation is already building up. Motera's pitch is known to be batsman-friendly and if Tendulkar & Co tick, India would be one step closer to making history.
But in the end, how many fans will get seats for the crucial match? Tickets have already become a touchy issue in the World Cup with angry fans being lathicharged in Nagpur and Bangalore after they couldn't get into the stadiums for India matches.
GCA wants no chaos in ticket distribution, there is a possibility that very few may be left for the fans. A GCA official said, "After obliging the ICC, sponsors, Board for Control of Cricket in India, district associations, former players, ministers and bureaucrats, fewer tickets may be left for the public. But we will ensure more fans get in than in Chennai, Nagpur or Mumbai."
"We will decide on the number of tickets for sale in a day or two," said GCA secretary Rajesh Patel. He had earlier told TOI at least 50 per cent tickets would go to the public. India will play its last league match in Nagpur on March 20 and arrive in Ahmedabad on March 21.
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