Virender Sehwag suggests "free tickets" for ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, Here's why

Virender Sehwag was part of the India's title winning campaign in 2011 World Cup.

Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag has suggested to the BCCI through his social media account after Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium’s stands looked empty during the first half of the opening game. Defending champions England took on New Zealand in the World Cup 2023 opening game. New Zealand decimated England by 9 wickets as they chased down England’s given target of 283 runs in 36.2 overs. Fans and everyone slammed the organisers after empty stands were visible during the toss of the World Cup opener. 

Virender Sehwag's unique suggestion

The former Indian opener has suggested that the organisers should distribute the free tickets to school or college kids to make it full at the starting half as the crowd will be coming after office hours. The Ahmedabad crowd did come in to witness the onslaught of Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra against England in the second half of the game. The crowd started to build up at the end of England’s innings as the office hours were over after 5 PM. Narendra Modi Stadium was full of noise and celebration when Conway and Ravindra rattled the England bowlers. 

India’s 2011 World Cup winner opener Virender Sehwag tweeted, “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 games, it will help youngsters get to experience a World Cup game and players get to play in front of a full stadium.” It is expected that the crowd will only be interested in the second half of the game scheduled on weekdays, for India games, the crowd will turn out in big numbers.

Team India will be playing most of their games on the weekend. A lot of fans also questioned the scheduling of the tournament and suggested that India should have played the opening game of the tournament as the hosts. England played the opening game in the 2019 World Cup, Australia played the opening game in the 2015 World Cup, and India played the opening game against co-hosts Bangladesh in the 2011 World Cup. India will be playing their opening game against Australia at Chepauk Stadium in Chennai on 8th October.