India’s cricket enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating the upcoming five-match Test series against England after Team India’s resounding 3-0 victory over Afghanistan in the T20I series.
The action kicks off on Thursday, January 25, at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, followed by the second Test in Visakhapatnam from February 2 to 6. The Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) is gearing up for a memorable event, making special arrangements to engage the local community.
In a commendable move, ACA has decided to allow around 10,000 students to witness the cricketing spectacle free of charge. To gain access to the Dr. YS Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, students need to present valid ID cards.
ACA Secretary, S.R. Gopinath Reddy, clarified some misconceptions about ticket sales, stating that a newspaper report had inaccuracies. Ticket sales began on January 15, and within two days, a robust response saw 3,000 tickets sold through the Paytm app and Insider.in website.
Online ticket options range from Rs 100 to Rs 500 for individual days, while season passes for all five days are available at Rs 400, Rs 800, and Rs 1,000. Despite the brisk online sales, offline counters will also have tickets available.
For the second Test, starting later in the month, fans can purchase tickets online through the Insider.in website. Options include individual ‘day’ passes for daily access or a ‘season pass’ for all five days. Offline ticket sales will commence on January 26 at the stadium in PM Palem and the Swarna Bharathi Indoor Stadium, lasting until February 6.
A total of 13,382 tickets are available for sale, both online and offline, with prices ranging from a minimum of Rs 100 to a maximum of Rs 1,500. Gopinath Reddy emphasized inclusivity by mentioning a subsidy of Rs 250 for 2,850 cricket club players in the state.
This subsidy aims to enable them to witness the riveting contest between India and England without straining their budgets. Notably, lower pavilion season tickets in Visakhapatnam have been priced at Rs 1,500, catering to a diverse range of cricket enthusiasts.
As the cricket fever rises, the ACA’s efforts to engage students and promote accessibility reflect a commitment to making the series between India and England a memorable experience for fans across the spectrum. With a mix of online and offline ticketing options, the ACA ensures that everyone has the opportunity to be part of the cricketing extravaganza unfolding in Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam.