‘Whom did they sell the tickets to?’ – Fans shocked to see low spectator turn-out in ODI World Cup 2023 opener

England and New Zealand are currently locking horns with one another for the first match of the ODI World Cup 2023, which is being conducted by the Indian cricket board across 10 vibrant venues in India. The two teams are commencing the world’s biggest tournament, the ODI World Cup, and are beginning the tournament where they left off in ODI World Cup 2019. England defeated New Zealand after the super over was tied by the number of boundaries they had scored in the final game. 

The thrilling match is being conducted at the world’s biggest stadium in terms of capacity, the Narendra Modi Stadium, popularly known as the Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Despite being the world’s biggest stadium, the stadium has a capacity to serve over one lakh spectators. However, for the first game between England and New Zealand, the stadium turned out to be relatively empty when the fans were kept waiting in long virtual queues for the tickets for weeks or even months. 

Some fans believe that the reason behind the stadium being empty towards the first innings of the game is that Ahmedabad has scorching heat during the day and the stadium is expected to be filled by the evening for the second innings. Also in this T20-favouring world, fans are reluctant to watch the full ODI game of hundred overs in the stadium, especially with the lack of opening ceremony for the tournament. 

‘There was never an opening ceremony planned’ – a close World Cup source

“There was never an opening ceremony planned for the World Cup. I can confirm that. In the case of the IPL, you can have a short opening ceremony, as the match starts in the evening. Here, the match starts in the afternoon”, said a source. 

England vs New Zealand Playing XI for ODI World Cup 2023 

England XI: Jonny Bairstow, Harry Brook, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (c, wk), Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Sam Curran, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood.

New Zealand XI: Devon Conway, Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (c, wk), Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Jimmy Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Trent Boult.

Look how the fans reacted:

This isn't an IPL.

— FARMAN ALI (@Farman_Ally) October 5, 2023

World Cup opener should have been India vs any other team. BCCI have failed in making the schedule itself. It should always be host team to play in opener. Pathetic from BCCI!

— Maharaj Patil (@IamViruLover) October 5, 2023

World Cup opener should have India in it to have its stands filled. Who will come to watch England vs New Zealand when people can easily watch Bairstow, Moin Ali, Butler regularly in IPL ?

— Rambo (@sniggy1992) October 5, 2023

https://twitter.com/bijjuu11/status/1709847823804719104?s=46

This year management has been under par, India should have played first match as host country to increase hype.

— Shubman Gang (@ShubmanGang) October 5, 2023

Too hot plus too much cricket
Plus asian games craze

— Bored_biotechnologist (@imbb_vhc) October 5, 2023

Whom did they sell the tickets to? Result of the Scam.

— ROCKY (@Rocky23697) October 5, 2023

https://twitter.com/cricbellz/status/1709847895925510422?s=46

Indians will come to watch India in action.
Hope fans of all the participating countries travel to India and support their teams like we Indians travel all across and make the Indian team feel at home everywhere.

— Shweta (@TrustScore_1) October 5, 2023