Kohli ton enthrals spectators in Guwahati

Guwahati: Virat Kohli’s love affair with Guwahati continued as the former India skipper notched his third consecutive ODI century in the city in as many matches he played over here. While the last two of those came at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, the batter scored his first here way back in November 2010 against the Kiwis at Nehru Stadium, the first and oldest international venue of the city before Assam Cricket Association (ACA) developed the Barsapara one.
Though Tuesday’s ton came after he got two lives in between, the stadium erupted in thunderous applause once Kohli drove medium pacer Kasun Rajitha to long off for a single to reach his 45th ODI century, which helped the home side to a big win on the night.
However, the stadium was only half full to see Kohli achieve this feat. A half-day local holiday within the jurisdiction of Kamrup (Metro) district — in which Barsapara falls — for all state government offices and educational institutions could not save the venue from remaining half empty throughout the game.
‘Longer’ limited-over match on a weekday meant spectators were not drawn to the stadium in huge numbers compared to the last match India played here – a T20I against South Africa in October last year.
India losing the toss didn’t help the cause either. Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka asked his counterpart Rohit Sharma to bat first on a track where chasing is preferred and it further jeopardized many ticket and complimentary pass holders’ plans of coming to the stadium for the second innings under lights, hoping to see Indian batters chasing.
The relatively high prices of the tickets for the match could be another reason to keep a large section of people at bay, too.
ACA priced the tickets from Rs 475 to Rs 5,000 and only the West Stand 2nd floor (for students only) tickets were available at the cost of Rs 475. While all the other tickets in North, South, West and East stands of the stadium were priced ranging from Rs 1,500 to Rs 5,000. Add to that the cost of coming to and from the stadium and of food for about an eight-hour stay for the match, and the total bearing per head goes further up.
Locals, as well as spectators coming in for the match, felt that it could have helped the organisers to fill the stadium if the price of the tickets were lower. Let’s hope the authority concerned takes note of the spectators’ wishes.