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This is an archive article published on April 7, 2008

Sachin’s absence, rain may dampen Kanpur Test

Sachin Tendulkar's absence and the fear of rain have left Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association officials worried.

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Sachin Tendulkar’s absence and the fear of unseasonal rain have left Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) officials worried, fearing a lukewarm response for the third and final India-South Africa Test match starting in Kanpur on April 11.

A day before tickets are made available to the people, UPCA officials admitted there was no cricket fever as such, something unusual for a city known with a particular liking for the game.

UPCA spokesman IM Rastogi fears Tendulkar’s absence, due to a groin injury, might take some sheen of the tie. “Had he been part of the squad, people would have thronged the stadium, hoping him to make up for the side’s poor show in the Ahmedabad Test,” Rastogi said.

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The Green Park Stadium can accommodate 39,000 people and UPCA has already distributed the tickets to eight State Bank branches across the city, which will be available from Tuesday.

IIT student Chandrasekhar made it clear that this time he and his friends would prefer to stay back and watch the match on television.

“Generally, me and my friends at the IIT make it a point to go to the ground whenever Tendulkar is here. But this time he is nursing an injury. So we would watch the match on television instead,” he said.

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