Most Attended Test Match Record: IND vs AUS Ahmedabad Test – Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad is all set to break the World Record for the Most Attended Test match. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi set to attend Day 1 of the 4th Test with Australian PM Anthony Albanese on March 9, Gujarat Cricket Association expects over 1 lakh people for the match. Melbourne’s MCG holds the record for Most Attended Test match with 91,112 people attending the match on Day 1 on Boxing Day Ashes Test in 2013. Border Gavaskar Trophy is set to surpass that figure. Follow India vs Australia LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN.
Highest Test Attendance in a day
- 100,000 – India v Pakistan, Kolkata 1998-99 (Unofficial record)
- 91,112 Australia v England Melbourne, 4th Test, Day 1, 2013-14
- 90,800 Australia v West Indies Melbourne, 5th Test, Day 2, 1960-61
- 89,155 Australia v England Melbourne, 4th Test, Day 2, 2006-07
PM Modi and PM Albanese will watch the first hour of play before leaving for other commitments. To help with the crowd, GCA has issued free tickets to school children.
“I think we are expecting a big crowd, at least on the first day. The talk has been excitement around actually playing a Test in front of that, then actually just the logistics of it on the field. How you deal with reviews, referrals, all that sort of stuff, because the noise will play a huge part in that,” Australian spin coach Daniel Vettori said.
Most Attended Test Match: IND vs AUS Ahmedabad Test set to BREAK MCG’s WORLD RECORD, 1 lakh fans expected on 1st Day, Follow LIVE Updates
There is already a big buzz around the event. Narendra Modi is a crowd-puller and a favourite in Gujarat, where he was CM for 12 years before becoming the PM. Add to that, climax of the Border Gavaskar Trophy and the crowd could be deafening. Josh Hazlewood who has played at a packed Narendra Modi stadium, warned his teammates about noise.
Meanwhile, young spinner Todd Murphy is raring to go and play in front of 1 lakh people. He has never played a Boxing Day Test and it would be his big crowd match.
“I haven’t dealt with heaps of big crowds back home, so I’ve come over here with the mindset of just enjoying it and embracing what comes with India. I didn’t really know what opportunities I’d get at the start of this tour – so I’ve had the mindset of whatever comes of it, comes of it. It’s going to be noisy. It’s exciting though – I think everyone looks forward to opportunities to play in front of those sort of crowds. It will be great atmosphere,” Todd Murphy said.
Most Attended Test Match: IND vs AUS Ahmedabad Test set to BREAK MCG’s WORLD RECORD, 1 lakh fans expected on 1st Day, Follow LIVE Updates
Two PMs, two pitches @LouisDBCameron? #IndvAus https://t.co/WWYlA3vl6e
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) March 7, 2023
However, due to security measures, the crowd won’t exceed 1 lakh. A large section of the stadium will be kept empty for evacuation purpose in case of a threat. However, the local people are not happy as tickets were not been made available due security canvas.
“Those are rumours. Tickets for the first day are available for spectators on the BookMyShow app. Only a few seats would be left out due to the security protocol. The rest are available for the spectators,” GCA secretary Anil Patel denied such assertions.
Only five stands, J5, K8, N1, N6, and P2, had tickets available. Those priced between Rs 200 and Rs 350 were sold out. Patel, however, added that counters will also be set up where customers could pick up actual tickets. This publication spoke with BCCI officials, who also confirmed that there are tickets available for fans for each of the five days.
Australian citizens will have their own counter, where they must: show a valid ID showing their identity; pay using Indian currency; and limit their purchases to a maximum of four tickets each.
Most Attended Test Match: IND vs AUS Ahmedabad Test set to BREAK MCG’s WORLD RECORD, 1 lakh fans expected on 1st Day, Follow LIVE Updates
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