Cricket World Cup: India-Pak match in Ahmedabad not the only one with a date change

Declining to name which games have a chance to be rescheduled, the BCCI secretary said it was a job to be coordinated between the logistical arms of the Indian board and the ICC. “I don’t interfere in that,” he said, adding that “it’s very important for us that the venue doesn’t change.”

However, Shah said there was no issue over adequate security arrangement for the Ahmedabad game due to it falling during the festive season. But he said the final picture will be clear in a few days. “In India, minor changes keep taking place as we go along.”

Tickets on sale soon

With a little more than two months left for the World Cup to begin, tickets have not yet been put on sale. But Shah said that will happen soon.

“We had a meeting of the state units hosting World Cup matches which, barring one or two, everybody attended. We have almost finalized our ticketing partner as well. There’s a timeline till Monday, after which ICC and BCCI will make a joint announcement about tickets, their availability, pricing and all other issues,” Shah said.

Shah said carrying physical tickets would be compulsory.

“We are not having e-tickets this time. But we will arrange for the physical tickets to be ready at seven or eight spots from a week before the game. It will be difficult to have e-tickets at big venues such as Ahmedabad or Lucknow. We will trial it in bilateral series before introducing it in big tournaments.”

Upgrading of facilities at stadiums is an important part of improving spectator experience. The 10 venues hosting World Cup games are being renovated and Shah said it was one of the board’s top priorities.

“Housekeeping, toilets and hygiene are the most important issues for us, as well as the look and feel of the stadiums. It’s a one-and-a-half month project. There is a post-World Cup phase also, but we will take care of the pre-World Cup phase first. As far as drinking water is concerned, we have tied up with Coca-Cola, an official partner of the ICC, to provide water bottles or in glasses in stadiums on a complimentary basis,” he said.

The board secretary said proper signage and efficient public transport, in the form of metro services, will make getting in and out of stadiums hassle-free for spectators.

Bumrah to return soon

Jasprit Bumrah’s availability for the World Cup could be vital for the hosts’ chances, and Shah gave some positive news about his return to action.

“Bumrah is totally fit. He may go to Ireland,” he said. India are scheduled to play three T20Is there from August 18-23, and the pace spearhead is likely to be eased back into the team on that tour.

‘A’ tours

The board has decided to revive the ‘A’ tour programme that had been badly affected during the Covid pandemic.

“India ‘A’ will travel to South Africa for a series, while England ‘A’ will visit India,” Shah said. It will also give an opportunity to test the surface at the World Cup venue in Lucknow, where the square has been relaid.

Workload management

Referring to Suryakumar Yadav and Cheteshwar Pujara, the board secretary said the players not part of the national side will have to turn up in domestic cricket, subject to permission from the National Cricket Academy.

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“For us, domestic cricket is also a priority,” he stressed. “The Indian team travels much more than other sides, for the benefit of other boards. They are in the West Indies now, after which they will go to Ireland and then the Asia Cup. One has to think about players’ workload as well. There is always a chance of getting injured.”