After the competition opened to empty stands in Ahmedabad on Thursday, former Indian cricket team opener Virender Sehwag feels the organisers of the Cricket World Cup 2023 should provide free tickets to school and college students for matches that do not include India.
The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad did not generate a large audience, and the lack of support startled many cricket enthusiasts on social media. Sehwag feels that ODI cricket's popularity is waning at the moment, and that improved access for youths throughout the competition might increase their interest in the sport.
"Hopefully after office hours, there should be more people coming in. But for games not featuring Bharat, there should be free tickets for school and college children. With the fading interest in 50 over game, it will definitely help that youngsters get to experience a World Cup game and players get to play in fron (sic) of a full stadium." Sehwag made a post on the social networking Twitter.
Hopefully after office hours, there should be more people coming in. But for games not featuring Bharat, there should be free tickets for school and college children. With the fading interest in 50 over game, it will definitely help that youngsters get to experience a World Cup…
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) October 5, 2023
In the World Cup opener on Thursday, New Zealand won the toss and put reigning champions England in to bat, despite the absence of England's star Ben Stokes due to a hip injury.
The match, which will take place at the world's largest cricket stadium in the Indian city of Ahmedabad, is a repeat of the historic 2019 final, which England won on a boundary countback.
New Zealand will be led by Tom Latham, who will be missing regular captain Kane Williamson and fast bowler Tim Southee, who are both recuperating from injuries.
Lockie Ferguson, the fast bowler, is also out with a niggle.
"It appears to be a reasonably good surface." "Hopefully it gets better to bat later on," Latham remarked during the toss. "Preparation has been great."England captain Jos Buttler revealed Stokes is out with a "hip niggle."
Harry Brook replaces Stokes, who was nominated as a specialist batsman for the World Cup but will be unable to bowl owing to a long-standing knee condition.Buttler stated that if he had won the toss, they would have bowled first.
"That looks like a really good wicket." "Preparation has gone well," Buttler remarked.
"We had a good home series against New Zealand." "I'm very proud of what I accomplished four years ago."
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