The common man figured rather low, if at all he did, in the priority list of the ICC and BCCI when they sat down to decide on the venues for the semifinal and final of the World Cup.
How else would one justify the selection of venues with the lowest seating capacity for matches that are going to draw maximum spectators. While Mohali can seat only 27,500, the capacity of the Wankhede Stadium - the venue for the final - has come down to about 33,000 following renovation and new construction.
What's the logic?
"No one found any problem with Mohali as a venue for the semifinal before it was known that it would be an India-Pakistan clash. We decide our venues keeping the ICC yardsticks in mind, and Mohali fulfils every criteria," said senior BCCI functionary Rajiv Shukla.
Agreed, no one could have foreseen an India-Pakistan clash in the semis at Mohali, but a semifinal would have anyway seen a huge demand for tickets. So, having it in the smallest venue defies logic.
One could argue, as the Karnataka Cricket Association secretary, Javagal Srinath, did, that the availability of few thousand more tickets would have made little difference as demand would have anyway overshot supply.
{{/usCountry}}One could argue, as the Karnataka Cricket Association secretary, Javagal Srinath, did, that the availability of few thousand more tickets would have made little difference as demand would have anyway overshot supply.
{{/usCountry}}That's true, but that can't be used as an excuse for leaving the common folk with little chance of watching the game they love the most.