Why is Lord’s set to lose INR 45 Crores ahead of the World Test Championship final in June?

In three months, Lord’s Cricket Ground is set to host the third ever final on the World Test Championships. The final game of the third cycle will witness Temba Bavuma and his South African side take on Pat Cummins’ Australia. The Aussies are the current holders of the title, having beaten India in 2023 finals. 

The finals are set to begin on 11th June with the home of cricket Lords anticipating a cracking encounter. Meanwhile, there is massive financial hit looming large for the ground ahead of the key encounter. According to reports, the ground could lose as much as INR 45 Crores since India hasn’t made it to the massive title match. 

Team India at one stage where were the top favorites to make it to the finals. A 3-0 loss at home to New Zealand followed by 3-1 loss to Australia in the Border Gavaskar Trophy ended those hopes. As per repots, the stadium had set a huge price for the massive game but India’s failure to make it to the finals has put paid to those hopes. 

BCCI and Indian cricket’s importance comes to the fore 

The reports state that there were expectations that India will make it to the WTC finals. Now that that the former two-time runners-up aren’t part of the game, Indian fans aren’t showing any interest in the game. MCC then reduced the ticket prices in a bid to attract more fans to the ground. 

In the last few season, Lord’s has attracted criticism for it’s inability to gain more spectators to watch the game. England vs Sri Lanka’s Test match in 2024 is a prime example where the attendance on the fourth day was less than 10,000. The current ticket price for the WTC finals are now somewhere between 40 Pounds as the minimum to 90 Pounds as the maximum. 

The same venue is set to host the India vs England Test match which is set to see a full house. Indian cricket fans have already purchased the tickets and as per estimates, the India vs England game will see a packed stadium for atleast the first four days of the match. Amidst all the hue and cry over India playing in Dubai in the Champions Trophy, world cricket has been served a gentle reminder of BCCI and Indian cricket pulling power in the game.