Lukewarm response for India-Lanka final Test

Mumbai:

Test cricket is returning to Brabourne Stadium after more than three and a half decades and India are 1-0 up going into the final game of the three-match series against Sri Lanka on December 2, but public response for the tie has been lukewarm.

According to sources in the Mumbai Cricket Association, there are very few takers for the tickets for the match with most clubs and gymkhanas affiliated to the MCA showing little interest in picking up their quota.

Around 330-odd clubs/gymkhanas are affiliated to the MCA.

A very small banner announcing the season ticket rates for the Test was found above the ticket counters at the premises of the Mumbai Hockey Association who are neighbours of the MCA situated within the confines of the Wankhede Stadium complex that's undergoing renovation.

The rates for the Test are fixed at Rs 1000, Rs 750 and Rs 200 for watching it for five days.

The opening Test of the series at Ahmedabad's Motera Stadium, played on week days entirely, did not attract big crowds with the best response during a day not above the 10,000 mark.

Current indications are that the final Test in Mumbai, that starts on Wednesday and ends on Sunday (Dec 6), would also not attract a sizeable crowd, let alone a full house. This would be in total contrast to the jam-packed arenas witnessed during the preceding seven-match one-day series between India and Australia.