Patel stir threat looms over Rajkot ODI, ID proof must to buy tickets

Therefore, we shall know who is seating where in the stadium. Besides, every nook and corner of the stadium will be under CCTV surveillance. In case of any trouble in any block, spectators sitting there will be booked. Besides trouble-makers, ticket-buyers who have passed on tickets to them, if any, will also be booked for mischief,” Rajkot (Rural) SP Gagandeep Gambhir told The Indian Express.

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Rajkot has hosted 13 ODIs and one T20 International, but so far an ID card was not a must for buying a ticket. It will be third international match at Khanderi stadium after an ODI and a T20 International. While the online sale of ticket is on, the SCA will open a ticket window on Race Course ground from October 11.

Even those purchasing tickets online have to produce identity proof at the time of collecting ticket from the SCA office.

The move comes after Hardik Patel, convenor of the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS), announced last week that they will hold protest inside the stadium during the match. The SCA stadium has a seating capacity of 29,000 spectators and officials said 24,000 tickets will be available to general cricket fans.

Hardik had said the Patidars will wear “certain types” of T-shirts or caps to send out a message  to “global audience” about their agitation for OBC status and quota benefits.

However, the SCA exuded confidence that the match will be an “event-free” affair. “This is a sporting event and we do not expect any trouble during the match as their protest is not directed against the match,” said Niranjan Shah, honorary secretary of the SCA. He further said that the SCA will also take the measures to preempt any such event.

“We shall ensure that no block booking takes place. Therefore, we have decided to give a maximum of two tickets per individual from our ticket selling counter that we shall open from October 11,” said Shah. The SCA officials said they will follow the current practice of not allowing cricket fans to carry certain articles inside the stadium. “Spectators will not be allowed to carry banners, hoardings, flags, except the tricolour and water bottles, inside the stadium.

However, prohibition on these articles is not specific to this match,” Himanshu Shah, media manger of the SCA, said.

An ODI between India and West Indies had to be abandoned in November 2002 after Caribbean players were hit by plastic water bottles while fielding near the boundary rope. But that match was played on Rajkot Municipal Cricket Ground in Race Course. “People are sensible enough and therefore, I don’t expect any trouble on October 18. But should anything happen, cricket fans of the state may have to pay a heavy price. The Gujarat Cricket Association is reconstructing its ground and the Baroda Cricket Association does not have its own ground. There-fore, Rajkot is the only venue in the state which can host international matches over the next three-four years,” said Shah.