India winning the Nagpur ODI seems to have enhanced the excitement among cricket buffs in this part of the country, as the tickets of the fourth India-Australia ODI scheduled to be held in Mohali on November 2 has virtually been sold off already. Nearly 40,000 seats at the PCA Stadium are sure to be filled on the match day, ensuring loud roars and boos. This, in the midst of a debate over the future of one-day cricket, given, what many term, the threat posed by the rising popularity of T-20 cricket.

“The match has generated tremendous response from the cricket lovers across the region. The tickets have already been sold off and there is still demand for more. Online sales have peaked too,”said G S Walia, joint secretary, Punjab Cricket Association (PCA).

Tickets were priced at Rs 100, 300, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000 and 10,000 for different categories and blocks. The only tickets left now are the ones in the relatively expensive terrace block, and the AC lounge. “With two days remaining, I am sure these will also be sold. The demand from corporate houses is enormous,” added Walia. Counters at the stadium will stay open for sale of these tickets — they cost Rs 5,000-10,000 — till match-eve.

Neetu Bhatia, CEO and chairman of www.kyazonga.com, the website the PCA tied up with to sell tickets online, said, “We were told to sell tickets in the denomination of Rs 2,000, Rs 5,000 and Rs 10,000. We are left with very few tickets, mostly those costing Rs 10,000.”

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