VENUE CHANGE

Brabourne Stadium to host India-WI ODI

by Cricbuzz Staff • Published on

The MCA had been firm in its stance regarding the quota of tickets (600) that was being offered by the BCCI, via the CoA's 'compromise formula'. © Getty

After days of speculation and deliberation, the BCCI has decided to shift the fourth match of the upcoming five-match India-Windies ODI series to the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai, the BCCI announced on Friday (October 12). The venue will be hosting an international game for the first time since the 2009 Test match against Sri Lanka.

The initial host and Mumbai's cricketing mecca, the Wankhede Stadium, had been experiencing problems over the past few weeks due to the complimentary tickets impasse between the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The MCA had been firm in its stance regarding the quota of tickets (600) that was being offered by the BCCI, via the CoA's 'compromise formula'.

The MCA isn't the first cricket association in India to have a disagreement in this regard. The associations in Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu had earlier expressed their reservations against the same, thereby complicating the issue for the BCCI. What makes things worse for the MCA is the fact that they don't have a boss since September 15 when the interim committee comprising the former CoA judges Hemant Gokhale and VM Kanade ended with the duo's retirement. They had been appointed by the Lodha Committee to ensure that the reforms were being implemented efficiently in the MCA.

"We haven't taken any decision so far. But 600 tickets just won't be enough for us. We need 7,000 tickets because we need to give them to all our (330) club members, donors, Government of Maharashtra, police, fire brigade, sports department, PWD," an MCA source had told TOI on Monday.

The problem wasn't solely about the complimentary tickets count either. In the absence of a leader in the MCA, there isn't an authorized person to sign the cheques on behalf of the association, further creating a chaotic situation for them. All this has eventually cost the MCA an ODI.

"We had to request the BCCI to clear the bill. We have to pay property tax and the electricity bill too. When we host an international match, we have to float tenders for in-stadia advertisements, generator sets, and so many other things. There are so many payments to be done to various agencies. Who will sign the cheques now?" wondered the MCA official who chose to be anonymous.

The ODI series gets underway on October 21 with the first game to be played in Guwahati at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium. India named their squad for the first two games yesterday.

© Cricbuzz

TAGS

RELATED STORIES