Pune’s Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium is hosting its third Test match. The last game played at this venue was the game between India and South Africa. Despite getting a game after five years, the facilities have left a sour taste in the mouths of fans. Revsportz reported that the fans weren’t happy with the facilities present.
The website quoted one fan who had traveled from Nashik as saying, “The facilities here are terrible. We’ve come from far away, they don’t allow umbrellas inside, there are no shades for fans, and now there’s no drinking water. Is this how you promote Test cricket?"
Yet another fan who had come to the ground said to the website, “I challenge the authorities to sit in the stands for just five overs. When they feel thirsty, they’ll find no water. It’s torture.”
Pathetic conditions continue to rankle fans
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is the richest cricket body in the world. There are various complaints that the fans have put forth as far as the facilities are concerned. There were issues reported even during the India vs Bangladesh series which took place recently.
One of the biggest points of controversy erupted during the only Test between Afghanistan and New Zealand. The game didn’t start on all five days as rain and bad outfield conditions prevented play. This was one of the few times that a Test match has been abandoned without a ball being bowled.
Fans have complained about the lack of drinking water and basic facilities when they come to watch the game. Some fans have even complained about the bad conditions the washrooms are in which has brought huge shame to BCCI.
The onus is now on the local authorities and BCCI who will have to set the situation straight. Four more days of Test matches with a large crowd set to come on Saturday and Sunday could see more such complaints. Despite the massive amount of money being pumped into stadiums, the Indian Cricket Board will have to do its best to become more fan-friendly in the days to come.