In India cricket maybe considered a religion, but it is difficult to find any takers for matches that don’t feature India. Even though India is a co-host of the World Cup, it is difficult to get the spectators to the stadium to watch other teams play.
However, Mumbai managed to get a decent crowd of close to 15,000 for a one-sided contest between New Zealand and Canada at the Wankhede Stadium last Sunday.
If that kind of a match got some attention, it is not difficult to imagine the kind of interest the clash between two hot teams like Sri Lanka and New Zealand can generate.
The Mumbai Cricket Association claims that the Friday’s game between the two is in high demand and are expecting the stadium to be 70 to 80% full.
“There was a decent crowd for the Canada-New Zealand tie which was surprising. Mumbai people want to see good game of cricket and the World Cup. The Friday’s game is a big one and there is a high demand for it,” Mumbai Cricket Association secretary Lalchand Rajput told DNA.
“The East stand is full. We have given the free tickets to school children, of course. Then the clubs are keen on taking the passes and then our other commitment with the government. We have also given 8,500 passes to ICC, and the tickets are selling like hot cakes everyday.
“We are expecting close to 25,000 people for this high-profile game. And we are proud of the fact that we are the only venue where non-India matches are a hit. Mumbai people love the game of cricket and watch it no matter who is playing,” added Rajput.
The city will see India in action only if they make it to the final on April 2. So, it comes as no surprise that the cricket-loving crowd of the city would be eager to watch the high-voltage clash with the likes of maverick slinger Lasith Malinga, big-hitter Ross Taylor and classy Mahela Jayawardene.
