By IANS,
New Delhi : Delhi Daredevils’ practice match under the newly installed floodlights in Ferozshah Kotla turned out to be an absolute chaos as hundreds of spectators were denied entry into the stadium.
Only a handful of fans were in the stands to see Virender Sehwag XI take on Dinesh Kaarthick XI. Outside the stadium, a big crowd had gathered but was not allowed entry despite a free for all show.
Worst still, the entry passes that were meant for Delhi District and Cricket Association members were being sold outside for as high as Rs.300 and many people were willing to shell out the sum, thinking that it was an Indian Premier League match.
“I came here after seeing the advertisement in newspapers that entry will be free but now they are asking for passes,” a fan said.
At many places the passes were being sold at different rates varying from Rs 100 to Rs 300 and the police remained mute spectators.
“I came with my friend and bought the passes for Rs 200 each,” said Dilip who was standing in a long queue to enter the stadium.
DDCA has around 4000 members and it was clear that the passes have gone into wrong hands.
DDCA secretary general S P Bansal said they had made the entry free but later changed the arrangement.
“We wanted people to come and watch the match so we had made it a free entry but police officials said they were short on personnel because of the Olympic torch relay and cannot make such big arrangement. So then we had no option and made the entry only for only members.”
DDCA media manager Ravi Jain though had a different take and said: “The entries are free for everybody today.”
Fans were seen scampering for the passes even as police made little effort to control the illegal sale of passes.
“Earlier, we got the instructions that the entry will be free but then we were told that only pass holders should be allowed inside the stadium,” a police official said.