Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma the Reason for Low Ticket Sale of India-Pakistan Asia Cup Game? Emirates Official Thinks So

India vs. Pakistan game in Asia Cup has seen unexpected low prior to the start of the match.

Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma the Reason for Low Ticket Sale of India-Pakistan Asia Cup Game? Emirates Official Thinks So

L: Asia Cup stadium empty, R: Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli (Image via The Federal/ CricTracker)

There is massive buzz surrounding every India vs. Pakistan game. Claims of who will win float around both countries and beyond. However, the real taste of the magnitude of the contest is felt when the match tickets go on sale.

Often one hears news of the fact that the match tickets got sold within minutes. The 2025 Asia Cup was also expected to bring similar news to the forum. Instead, it has brought about a shock to most as there still are a large number of seats that are available for fans to avail.

The Emirates Cricket Board has been unable to sell this India vs. Pakistan clash out, and many wonder what the reason could be. An Emirates Board official came out and gave his opinion on the low-ticket sales, in which he stated star names missing out may have played a big role.

We are surprised that the flow of ticket sales for India vs Pakistan is low, till now, we have sold out the lower stands only, but the upper and top tier stands are still on sale. During the Champions Trophy for the same match we had sold two times in a single day. We opened the ticket window between 2 pm and 4 pm and we were sold out by that time, in just less than 4 minutes, but this time the craze is very dull. It might be because of the absence of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

An Emirates Cricket Board official told ANI

Both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli announced retirements from the T20I format after winning the World Cup last year. Many, including the ECB, feel that with both the players not in action, the fans have not been lured to buy tickets for the match.

Further, Pakistan talisman Babar Azam too will be missing from this contest as he has been left out of the T20I side. With so many big names missing out, many felt that the tournament has not been able to build the excitement within themselves for the match.

Further political tensions between the two countries and multiple boycott calls too would have played a certain part in the fans being a little hesitant to buy the match tickets. The real numbers following this massive showdown might be extracted from the live TV and broadcasting numbers this time around.

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Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma start practicing prior to their India comeback

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have been out of action from international cricket since March this year. The last they played in national colors was when India won the Champions Trophy in Dubai this year. Both players recently passed the fitness test held by the BCCI and are now looking to sharpen their skills with the bat.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli get back in the nets ahead of Australia tour.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli (Image via ESPNcricinfo)

Their untimely retirements from Test cricket robbed cricket fans of seeing them in action in England during the recently concluded Test series. However, the recent images of both getting back into the nets have had fans get excited to see their favorite stars back.

Images of Sharma looking fitter than before and stroking multiple balls in the nets have got fans all happy as they pray for a dream comeback for India’s ODI captain. Kohli too was seen with some net bowlers outside the Lord’s stadium suggesting that he too is practicing hard for a return. Both players now will feature in only one format, which is the one-day internationals.

Their next assignment is in Australia, where both players have enjoyed great success in the past. The pace and true bounce of Australia would suit their batting styles and hold them in great space for building form.

There have been rumors lately that Kohli and Sharma wouldn’t have a guaranteed spot for the 2027 World Cup. If there is any truth in that statement, one can be assured that both batters will try their level best to bounce back in style.

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