VVS LAxman. Photo: Getty Images
The absence of VVS Laxman, who announced his retirement ahead of the Test series against New
Zealand, seems to have costed the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) dearly with a poor turnout expected for the Five-day match, beginning here tomorrow.
According to the HCA sources, only 2,500 tickets have been sold for the match in a 39,000 capacity Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
"We would be happy to see a crowd of 7,000 to 10,000. Ticket sales have been poor and the retirement of Laxman has compounded the woes," HCA executive committee member, Gerard Carr told PTI.
"The Test match viewership is going down. But we expected the crowd to fill up to see a last glimpse of Laxman in India colours. But it won't happen," he added.
Giving details of the collections from ticket sales, Carr said: "Tickets worth around Rs 10 lakh have been sold for the entire five-day duration. This, however, does not include the online booking. We hope the crowd to fill up during the weekend."
Hyderabad last hosted a Test in November 2010 against the same opposition -- New Zealand -- when both the teams dished out a drab draw.
Brendon McCullum had slammed a double century in New Zealand's second innings, while Harbhajan Singh also scored an unbeaten century, even as the flat wicket had come for a severe criticism.
Tag : #retirement #test #VVS Laxman
from
PTI
Shiv shifts focus to the European Challenge Tour
Shiv Kapur, who has had mixed results this season on the main European Tour, has decided to focus on the European Challenge Tour for the next few months this year.
from AP
Potro, Baker, Fish pull out of French Open
Seventh-ranked Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina has pulled out of the upcoming French Open because of a respiratory virus.
from AP
Raikkonen plays down Grand Prix chances
The Monaco Grand Prix should be less about tire degradation and more about pole position, as Formula One returns for its showcase race on a street circuit that is notoriously difficult to overtake on.
from
IANS
'Sports was clean during father’s time'
Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone, daughter of badminton icon Prakash Padukone, says sports was pure and clean during her fathers time.
from
AP
Murray out of French Open due to injury
Andy Murray withdrew from the French Open because of a chronic back injury and will now focus on preparing for the start of the grass-court season next month.
from
IBNLive
How exactly does betting in cricket work?
As the interrogation of arrested actor Vindoo Dara Singh reveals heavy betting in the IPL, the question is as to how exactly does betting in cricket work. It is much like any other business but for a few fascinating exceptions.
from
AP
Coach Mourinho to bid Real Madrid goodbye
Jose Mourinho will leave Real Madrid at the end of the season after three years at the Spanish club, paving the way for his expected return to Chelsea.
