Kolkata, Dec 20 (IANS) The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) could incur a loss of up to Rs.2.5 crore from gate sales as there will not be a single priced ticket during the fourth India-Sri Lanka one dayer at the Eden Gardens Dec 24.
“Our collection from the gate sales could have gone up to Rs.2.5 crore had there been a full house. And normally, we get full house in ODIs at the Eden. Moreover, with Eden getting an ODI after more than 34 months, the spectator interest would have been at its peak,” said a CAB source.

Eden had hosted its previous ODI Feb 8, 2007, when India took on Sri Lanka, but the match was washed out. Then India and Pakistan played a Test in November-December 2007 on the ground.

With only 53 percent of the seats in the 83,635-capacity stadium available due to the ongoing renovation and construction work in four galleries ahead of the 2011 World Cup, the CAB has decided to do away with priced tickets for the ODI.

Out of the 44,702 seats available, the CAB will have to distribute free tickets to its 32,736 members and 8,667 to affiliate clubs, districts and universities and 3,300 to ‘VIPs’ who will occupy the club house.