Black-marketing of Ind vs Eng ODI tickets at Cuttack’s Barabati Stadium? Elderly women make beeline to buy tickets amid huge rush

A stampede-like situation was witnessed outside the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack as a huge number of enthusiastic cricket fans gathered to buy off-line tickets from the counters on Wednesday for the upcoming India vs England match on February 9.

The widespread chaos was attributed to poor exit management that resulted in crowd control issues. Moreover, eyebrows were raised over a large number of elderly women having little knowledge about cricket waiting in long queues for long hours to buy tickets.

The elderly women intended to buy tickets not for themselves, but to secure them for family members and acquaintances. The spectacle has piqued the curiosity of onlookers, raising questions about the individuals behind what appears to be a chaotic scenario.

Those nearby have begun to question the apparent orchestration of such large groups of elderly women, with suspicions growing over possible black-marketing of tickets. This has led to a broader discourse about the fairness and management of ticket sales for the international match.

The concerns highlight the ongoing issues surrounding ticket purchases, particularly in crowded and popular events where demand frequently outstrips supply. These observations have also sparked debates on the methods used to obtain tickets, exploring whether such practices are inadvertently supported by organisers or other entities.

Must Read: Offline ticket sale for Ind Vs Eng ODI at Barabati: Stampede-like situation sparks chaos

“I am waiting to buy tickets for my sons and relatives. They are doing business and other jobs and they don’t have time to buy tickets. Hence, we are standing in long queues to buy tickets for them,” said an elderly woman.

“I have been waiting in the long queue amid scorching sun for long hours. However, I am yet to get a ticket. I am surprised to see a large number of elderly women, who have no knowledge about cricket, jostling for tickets. Even, they don’t know the basics of cricket. It’s a matter of surprise that for whom they are buying tickets and why they are allowed to create chaos near the counters,” said a girl.