“Even TNPL has better planning”- BCCI once again under scrutiny as World Cup opener is played in front of virtually no crowd

Despite having a seating capacity of over 132,000, the Narendra Modi Stadium was barely filled with fans.

“Even TNPL has better planning”- BCCI once again under scrutiny as World Cup opener is played in front of virtually no crowd

The Narendra Modi Stadium before the World Cup opener began (Image via ESPN)

As New Zealand and England play the first match of the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup in the Narendra Modi Stadium, the entire stadium was empty. As the first ball was bowled by left arm seamer, Trent Boult, barely any fans could be seen. 

With a seating capacity of 132,000 spectators, more than 85% of the Narendra Modi Stadium were not filled with fans. Despite the popularity of cricket in India, it looked like fans were not interested in attending the match of the 2019 World Cup finalists. 

YouTube video

Seeing so many empty seats, fans on social media site X (formerly Twitter) expressed how fed up they were with BCCI for their terrible event management. Many claimed that a World Cup opener can’t have such a non-existent crowd. Even English cricketer, Danielle Wyatt, was shocked with the empty stadium. 

Related: “We messed up,” Venkatesh Prasad says BCCI made mistakes while organizing the World Cup

Fans blame BCCI for empty crowd

Many X users blamed the Board of Control for Cricket in India for the empty stadium, with many fans claiming the mismanagement of the entire event is the main cause. The BCCI made it difficult for fans to buy tickets online. Along with that, they had shifted 9 matches of the World Cup schedule which made things more difficult for fans. 

Fans start to enter the Narendra Modi Stadium (Image via ESPN)

Many fans didn’t hold back, saying it’s time the BCCI starts organizing tournaments that considers the interests of fans. Along with that many also criticized the decision to make England and New Zealand play the opener, suggesting India should have played the first game instead. 

Many defended the BCCI, saying it’s a weekday afternoon and many fans would start coming in the evening. They claimed that due to the heat, fans will be waiting for the weather to cool down as well. 

Check out their reactions here: 

https://twitter.com/CSKYash_/status/1709850085364781382?s=20

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