In a hugely surprising movie, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has drastically reduced the ticket rates for the third and final test between India and West Indies staring from Tuesday November 22 at the Wankhede Stadium.

The ticket prices for the match are as follows: –

* East Stand (Lower) per day – Rs 50 (This is not a typing mistake!)

* East Stand (Lower) for five days – Rs 150 (!!!)

* North Stand, Vijay Merchant Stand and Sachin Tendulkar Stand per day – Rs 100

* North Stand, Vijay Merchant Stand and Sachin Tendulkar Stand for five days – Rs 500

* Vithal Divecha Stand per day – Rs 150

* Vithal Divecha Stand for five days – Rs 600

* Sachin Tendulkar Pavillion and Corporate Box Seat for five days – Rs 25, 000

The biggest reason for such drop in ticket prices is due to the fact that the attendance for the first two matches of the series has been way below par. Secondly, last month only around 13,000 turned up for the India-England one day international whereas the capacity at the newly built stadium is 33,000. And lastly, there has been an over-overdose of cricket in 2011. Plenty of matches took place in India in the world cup earlier this year.

This was followed by the Indian Premiere League which had as many as 60 matches played in a span of less than two months. Even after this, India has been playing regularly in England, West Indies and then again in India against England and against the West Indies in the ongoing test series.

Over the years, the ticket prices at Wankhede (especially for ODIs and IPL matches) have been abnormally high. But one thing is sure that if spectators remain away from the matches, the association can be forced to reduce the rates. I think we should continue to do this so as to make sure we are not charged ridiculously high to witness our favorite game.

The same can be happen at cinema multiplexes as well. For per ticket, the price can go as high as Rs 350, 400 or more! Due to this, common middleclass people are forced to stay away from multiplexes. But if we refuse to bow down to the demands of the multiplexes by boycotting them, they will be forced to reduce the rates. It has happened at few multiplexes like PVR Lower Parel. After all, there is a hidden power which is amongst we the people!

Picture courtesy - Pravasitoday.com