IPL Cricket Ticket travails

Today (29/05/2014) around 6 a.m., I  proceeded towards the Chinnaswamy Cricket Stadium, Bangalore to buy tickets for the Pepsi IPL-Season-7 Finals to be played on the 1^st June.

I represented an Associate Member who gave me the authorisation letter as prescribed by the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA).  Their notification informs that Associate Member can buy upto two tickets  for the guests on a FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED-BASIS   I was no.14 in the queue at 7 a.m., while the official time for issuance of the tickets has been notified as 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  When the counter opened, the official who entered with a ticket-cum-cash box informed, much to the horrific logic, that all tickets have been “sold out”.  Those of us who have been patiently waiting were baffled.

No committee member, leave alone Secretary or other  responsible office-bearer was available for any comment or clarification.  The counter-official claimed that his duty is only limited to parroting “tickets sold out”. 

There were hardly about 100 people lined up.  The guest-tickets are marked for “A” Stand, “B” Stand and “N” Stand, which covers more than 20 per cent of the total capacity of the stadium.  Even if the  capacity of the stadium can be roughly estimated around 50,000, A, B & N can seat easily 10,000 people.  At the rate of two tickets per Associate/Representative, it would have hardly come to about 200 tickets.

But straightaway declaring “all tickets sold out” smacks of not just colossal arrogance, but warrants a deep and detailed investigation.   Different versions were shared in the ticket distribution hall.  One person said that tickets are totally with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) control and they have committed the tickets of the said Stands to Franchisees and Sponsors.  Another one said the stadium is in the hands of RCB (Royal Challengers Bangalore).  A third one: “KSCA is in overall charge of the administration”.

How do you term it when you announce “all tickets sold out” to the first person standing in the queue?  Who is accountable for this racket?  Even in cinema theatres, only few tickets may find the “black market”.  Is this always the  pattern? And, is this the pattern in all the stadiums throughout the country? 

Also, while the letter signed by the Secretary, KSCA said the ticket of “N” stand costs Rs.3,000/-  the tariff at the counter displays a revised-Rs.4,000/- per ticket, which was also not available for the law-abiding public. 

Disgusted with the response of the official, a cricket fan in the queue tore the KSCA letter and walked out.  A few discussed that they would sincerely pray from the depth of their hearts seeking “heavy downpour both on the 1^st and 2^nd June”, in addition to mouthing unprintable epithets.

We are familiar with somebody buying ticket from the counter and then selling in “black”, whereas, one wonders if  the authorities have taken over that job “wholesale”?  We are already reading reports about a “number of websites becoming the best platform for black market”.  We also have come across touts outsmarting the police.  We have not forgotten the name of Ratnakar Shetty who was suspended from the Mumbai Cricket Association for allegedly selling IPL match tickets in the black market.

Two items, for sure, are sold over the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) in India. One is liquor, and the other is IPL tickets.  It is obviously a question of demand and supply.  And since the demand for the 1^st June Finals match at Bangalore is enormous and the tickets are claimed to be “sold out”, those keen to watch at any cost will be ready to shell out any amount.  With cricket fans returning empty-handed, there are allegations of organisers  buying  tickets in bulk and then making a fast back.  Everyone wants to be a part of IPL history and wants to have a glimpse of their favourite teams/players clash at the biggest cricket event. 

Chinnaswamy Stadium is arguably one of the best stadiums in the country, but the sale of tickets has always been a contentious issue.  With a lot of simmering anger, I wish to ask if the fraudsters selling the tickets are outside the stadium or do they originate from within?

Also, dear cricket lover, beware of counterfeit tickets.  Remember a couple of years ago, fake IPL tickets flooding the Bangalore market?  It is also relevant to recall a news item reporting that a legislator who landed up with a fake ticket for the semi-finals between Mumbai  Indians vs. Royal Challengers Bangalore said: ‘I  paid Rs.20,000 for a Rs.10,000 ticket.  But when I reached the stadium, I was told the ticket was fake.  I could not do much, as it would have only landed me in trouble”. 

I also happened to read another report relating to the first leg of the IPL – 7 tournament held in U.A.E.: “On a popular classified website, touts are asking Dhs.1,500 for a Dh.80 – ticket to the tournament’s opening fixture at Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Stadium on 16^th April”.

Even as the investigating officials look into the murky financial dealings in IPL, black marketers  and touts are having a field day, thoroughly exploiting the occasions, sentiments and emotions.   Let us also not forget that when one buys a ticket in black-market, s/he is equally and obviously becomes the other party involved in the criminal transaction.

Just a thought:  Why issuance of tickets should not be contemplated online-draw basis?

Well. after the various unsavoury deals, we still buy tickets and watch the match,  when the most serious doubt creeps in: “Is the match original or fake?” “Is it a sixer or a fixer?”

The recent retirees of the game, of late,  have been mouthing frequently about “integrity”.  We need more transparency and seek more clarity to the specific issues faced by the game and the cricket lover, from you guys!  Time for you, the legends,  to return something that adds value to the system!

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Also read: http://kmurthy608.blogspot.in/2014/05/cricket-where-is-gentleman.html

Cricket: Where is the gentleman?

We all know Kieron  Pollard is an aggressive all-rounder, a big-hitting middle-order batsman.  What we also found on Tuesday (06/05/2014) was that Pollard can use the bat for purposes other than cricket.  Aussies are notorious for sledging.  What really transpired?  What were the words used by Mitchell Starc?  Was there any racial slant? Probably, one has to wait for an investigation.  Will it be fair? 

Whatever, the most ugly spectacle and Pollard’s reaction is censurable.  Match Referee Andy Pycroft’s decision to fine 75% and 50% of the match fee on Pollard and  Starc respectively makes a blatant mockery of punishment instead of slapping a match ban on the two, if not more, for their on-field misadventure, as it is only well known that there is always someone ready to sponsor any misdeed.  The fine is akin to “pay something and get away”, rather, get ready to commit the next one, nay a bigger one.  After all, money facilitates buying and selling.  And that’s what is IPL is all about. 

Cricketer was earlier known as gentleman.  Today, however, he is known by different synonyms like sledger, fixer, thug, bully, crook, cheat …… 

Although named the “Gentleman’s game”, cricket’s reputation is frequently tarnished by smaller and larger incidents, that seriously threatened the integrity of the game.  Even street cricket shows better sportsmanship.When you nick it, you wait for the umpire to give a decision.  But when you nick it to first slip and you still wait.  Stuart Broad nicked the ball and was caught by the Australian Michael Clarke, but not by the umpire.  Broad didn’t walk off since the umpire did not see, but the rest of the world did.

English stars after their victorious Ashes series celebrated their victory by getting drunk on the Oval pitch and urinated on the wicket.  The players include Kevin Pieterson, Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson who reportedly relieved themselves amid their team-mates cheering them on.  Most uncivilised behaviour by the English cricketers, where other great cricketers used to kiss the earth after creating records.  The same ground that gives them the pride and privilege to earn , it is shameful of them to indulge in such acts. It is depressing that Englishmen known for their value to tradition and culture should stoop to this abysmal perversion.

Apology or "fine" does not take away the disgrace and shame inflicted on the fair game.  It shows what respect they have for the sport they have opted to play. 

The intimidating environment on the field is becoming the key component in unsettling the opponent.  Andrew Symonds vs. Harbhajan Singh in the “monkey-gate episode” provided the ultimate disgust.  Sreesanth has set an example of an Indian cricketer who has gone well beyond the spirit of cricket both in terms of attitude and integrity.  Closely observe,  in most commentators’ views, “sledging” is  just about okay.  At times, we have to believe that Australians don’t just play to win, but more to play to defeat the opposition.

There is no doubt that some of these cricketers are world-class, but their “win-at-all-costs”  attitude lets them, and the game down.

The integrity of the game is already blotted by various events like bodyline bowling, underarm bowling, match-fixing, spot-fixing,  ball-tampering  ….  to name a few unfair ingredients.  Cricket has become business, after IPL.  It has provided a platform for money-laundering. We are in serious doubt if the matches we watch are fake games.

The pity nowadays is that those we think are heroes have been reduced to players we may scorn, notwithstanding their records as there will always be an element of doubt how they achieved their feats.  The  ‘money’  factor has made most participants strive for “performance” at any cost.  How  the owners of the teams react to the ugly behavior of their team players?  If administration is in the hands of businessmen and politicians, what else can you expect to deliver?  Money, ego and power alone control the game.  Do you need a better example than the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)?

Why not umpires be empowered to insist that players who sledge are removed from close-fielding positions if they exceed the acceptable levels, in the same way as a bowler who runs down the pitch can be removed from the attack?  This reminds, why did the match-referee not bring a charge of unsporting behaviour when Andrew Symonds in a match against India in 2008 for not walking when he boasted that he was well aware that he edged the ball?  Again, Murali Karthick in one of the IPL editions confessed that he edged the ball, but did not walk.  Players of this sort have set disgraceful examples to all youngsters following them. 

There was also the occasional other side.  G.R. Vishwanath recalled an Australian batsman (I don’t remember the name) when he thought that the umpire made an incorrect decision.  Let us revive the names of Garfield Sobers, Frank Worrel, Don Broadman, Courtney Walsh ….

There is no place for abusing and bullying.  It is high time the ICC  come out of its spineless state and handout some bans.  Perhaps, time to have more technology involved and have more scrutiny on the players.  Time to show that cricket is not a sport for bullies, but for gentleman.  Wishful thinking?

We would love to watch good cricket – Bat vs. Ball.  Asking for a little too much?

Read:
http://kmurthy608.blogspot.in/2012/08/book-mark-rahul-dravid-timeless-steel.html

All The Best, Sachin!

All The Best, Sachin!

THE TIMES OF INDIA

C.S. Krishnamurthy (Bangalore)

Sourav Ganguly: "It's not the first time he has been bowled.". True, but we have not seen the Master getting bowled with such consistency.
Dear Sachin, a disconnect, it appears, is developing between your mental agility and physical stamina. May be I am wrong, age and reflex apart, is it that you should play more matches with more regularity than pick and choose if you have to be in the thick of action.
It is more nostalgic that when you got out, others would follow you, leaving a sapping morale in the dressing room. Individually it is a nice feeling to reflect on your inevitable magnificence. You are the only batsman who had kept the scorers, nay statisticians very busy for nearly two decades. But are the latter relaxing now, when you walk in the middle?
Today, it is a different scenario. You are consciously aware that Team India are developing to win games without you or your performance. I even brush aside someone's outburst: "We should introspect, what was their main wish, joy of Sachin's 100th 100 or sadness of losing to Bangladesh and losing the Asia Cup". I responded to that comment that it is left to you to ponder about the mixed feelings of that particular match!
I am not interested to know if BCCI has got guts to coax you to retire. I reject the suggestion that BCCI is rendered spineless because of the amount of income generated by you through your top-notch performances. What worries me is that your mentor Sunny Gavaskar has started worrying about your way of getting out. I certainly don’t want to see you being made look silly by bowlers you would have pelted in your deep slumber about 5 years ago. Each time, these days, you get out, the respective rival bowler’s premium obviously keeps rocking up . We have seen you only a hero, but I am afraid if you have started creating heroes in the rival camps.
I don’t want some one to ask, Sachin or ego, who is bigger; I also don’t want some one to kickstart a debate, “Sachin is bigger or the game of cricket is bigger”. Lastly, I don’t want, least of all, Arjun asking “Pappa you are occupying my place?”. You have set such high standards, it doesn't seem possible for any one in the foreseeable future to come anywhere closer. No one can deny that you have the privilege to play as long you would prefer. Perfect. But selection committee has a task to select a team based on the current form and merit. I am not going into the topic of whether they are spineless or as Jimmy Amarnath once termed them as “a bunch of jokers”. 
The best remedy: Take a decision. Don’t take too long. Stop while the audience is eager to hear you more. I don’t know if this also applies to sportsmen. We know Sachin as a top batsman! We are in the wait to see Sachin a top sportsman!! You love challenges. Many like me want you to take a challenge of grooming one more Sachin, if not more! All the Best, Sachin!
(Ref. Article: Sachin Tendulkar will combat slump and respond, says Sourav Ganguly - TOI, Sep. 8, 2012)http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/series-tournaments/sachin-tendulkar--an-indian-icon/top-stories/Sachin-Tendulkar-will-combat-slump-and-respond-says-Sourav-Ganguly/articleshow/16303469.cms

http://kmurthy608.blogspot.in/2012/06/open-letter-to-sachin-tendulkar.html http://kmurthy608.blogspot.in/2012/08/catches-win-matches-yet-fielder-is.html