KCA’s response is that the controversies over ticket prices have affected ticket sales
Thiruvananthapuram: The preparations for the third ODI match against Sri Lanka tomorrow at Kariyavattam Greenfield Stadium have been completed. There were reports that head coach Rahul Dravid will not be with the Indian team for the third ODI, but Dravid has rejoined the team.
Dravid was also present when the Indian team arrived at the Greenfield Stadium for practice. Dravid observed India’s training. He was also giving instructions to the players. Senior players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Mohammed Shami, KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer stayed away from India’s practice session.
Having already won the series, all eyes are on India’s playing XI. Opener Ishan Kishan and middle-order Suryakumar Yadav, who were out for the first two ODIs, are expected to return to the playing XI. The team will aim to give a chance to Ishan Kishan, who had to sit out the first two matches against Lanka despite scoring a record double century in the third ODI against Bangladesh. There was strong criticism for not playing Ishan in Guwahati and Kolkata.
Suryakumar Yadav, who had to stay out of the ODIs despite scoring his third international Twenty20 century, will also return to number four in the Thiruvananthapuram match. With his match-winning fifty in the second ODI, KL Rahul has cemented his place in the team.
Ticket sales slow
Thiruvananthapuram ODI ticket sales were slow and only about five thousand tickets were sold till noon. KCA’s response is that the controversies over ticket prices have affected ticket sales. With just hours left for the India-Sri Lanka ODI, ticket sales have reached five thousand. There are a total of 37000 seats. 23000 tickets are on sale. 2000, 1000 and 500 for students. Plus 30% tax.