India's WC match in city marred by high black market ticket prices

Chandra Prabhu | NT

Bengaluru: The Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday hosted the final league game of the World Cup between hosts India and the Netherlands. Despite being a dead rubber game, where the fates of both teams are decided, the excitement of the fans did not subside.

However, this was marred by ticket mismanagement, as most tickets were sold in black, higher than the maximum price. Sandeep R, a delivery boy from Banashankari was eager to watch today's match.

"I came here at 6 am in the morning, but couldn't get my hands on one," he said. In a first for him at Bengaluru, he wanted to have a glimpse of his 'hero' , Virat Kohli, but returned with nothing.

"I tried to get tickets for past four days. The authorities have let the fans down yet again!," he lamented.

Sandeep also suggested that tickets for high demand matches need to be sold offline as well. "Tickets online are sold in a flash. It is a matter of luck. At least 15% of the tickets needs to be sold in the box office," he explained.

According to Krishna, a traffic policeman, around 5,000 thronged outside the gates of the stadium, an hour before the first ball was bowled. With authorities failing to sell tickets in a phased manner, black markets have flourished yet again as tickets are sold at exorbitant prices.

Saddam, who sold tickets starting from Rs.5000 all the way up to Rs. 50,000 was supposedly 'permitted' to sell them with a premium of Rs.100 to 200.

"The cops have no business questioning me," he said. As fans keep entering the premises of the stadium, they see vendors who sell replica kits of cricket teams.

However, News Trail also spotted a vendor who claimed to sell VIP tickets at Rs.7,000 which were counterfeit of the original tickets. Fans who are eager to watch games can be duped by this as these tickets wouldn't be recognised in the barricade scanners.

India registered 410, their highest run total in this tournament. The hosts made it nine out of nine, and are keen to maintain momentum in their semifinal clash against New Zealand on Wednesday.