As has been the trend since 2012, the record IPL champions Mumbai Indians started yet another IPL campaign with a loss in their opening encounter. This time, their opponents were Rishab Pant-led Delhi Capitals and the match was played at the Brabourne Stadium. 

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The Wankhede Stadium has been the preferred venue for the IPL and international matches in Mumbai.  But this year, with the coronavirus pandemic in mind, the BCCI has chosen three other stadiums which are in close proximity to each other to host the IPL games.

The fans were already not happy with the BCCI for making IPL tickets extremely expensive this year. At most venues, the starting price is Rs 2,500 and Rs 3,000, which is burning a deep hole into fans’ pockets.

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For the second match of the season between Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals, the minimum ticket price was Rs 3,000. Given a local side was playing, the supporters still bought tickets and went to the stadiums hoping for an experience of a lifetime. 

The facilities at the Brabourne stadium are nothing compared to Wankhede stadium but still, the fans had hoped that the organisers would make better arrangements. After all, they had paid Rs 3,000.

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It was a day game and the fans were made to sit on plastic chairs with the sun beating down on their head. It was not the experience they had signed up for and naturally, they were not pleased with the poor hospitality. 

“Surely for 3K ticket prices, acche seats toh de dete (should have given better seats). WTF Brabourne?” tweeted an angry fan, while sharing a picture of plastic chairs in the stands. Several other fans also thrashed the BCCI for, in a way, cheating the spectators of their hard-earned money. 

Surely for 3K ticket prices, acche seats toh de dete. WTF Brabourne?
Pic credit - @vlp1994 #IPL2022 #DCvsMI #DCvMI pic.twitter.com/sk7arwPe9a

— Sanchit Desai (@sanchitd43) March 27, 2022

Half of the stands don’t even have a roof, and not the forget the temperature can go up to 38°C. Since, the ground and the operations staff already knew that matches would be hosted here, a lot better could have been done.

— Prajakta (@18prajakta) March 27, 2022

@BCCI @IPL @MumbaiCricAssoc @SGanguly99 @JayShah This is how you treat spectators with plastic chairs, hot sun for cost of 3000/2500 each. Kudos for ur money interest rather than people comfort. @mufaddal_vohra @CricCrazyJohns @vlp1994 @CoverDrivenFor4 @Cricprabhu pls RT https://t.co/XmXQ8IgMDY

— KrishnaTej (@WidishThirdMan) March 27, 2022

A Chaadar on Ground would have been more better... Humare Paiso se Aish karenge aur hume aise treat karenge ye saare... #BoycottIPL

— Beauty Singh (@BeautyS08380049) March 27, 2022

Unlike most stadiums in the country, the Brabourne Stadium is not owned by the Indian cricket board, hence its development is not its responsibility. Having said that, the Indian board can’t use it as an excuse.

The BCCI is using this venue for the 15th edition of IPL, hence it was their responsibility to make better arrangements. The supporters are excited to be back in the stands but incidents like these are definitely not doing the organisers any good. 

Here’s hoping that the BCCI learns from its mistake and makes better arrangements going forward. 

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