ODI World Cup 2023
‘Cricket me bhi politics aa gayi kya’ – Fans react as Punjab Sports Minister claims ‘politics’ behind omission of Punjab as ODI World Cup 2023 host
The Punjab Government had a sharp reaction to the exclusion of the Punjab Cricket Association stadium in Mohali from the 2023 ODi World Cup in India. The Mohali stadium hasn’t been included in the list of all the venues that are scheduled to host the matches of the Marquee event. The tournament is all to set start on October 5th with an opening match between the finalists of the previous edition, England and New Zealand, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Punjab Sports Minister Meet Hayer condemned the exclusion of Mohali from the tournament and alleged that this decision has been influenced by political reasons. He said that the State government, led by CM Bhagwant Mann, will raise the issue of discrimination and open injustice by the Indian Cricket Board.
“It is good that World Cup is coming to India but it is sad that a stadium which has produced many superstars of Indian cricket, a stadium that used to be among the top five venues in the country, has not got a single game. On the other hand, the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad is hosting the opening game as well as the final and also the big game between India and Pakistan,” Hayer was quoted as saying by Indian Express.
“To the neighbouring Dharamsala as well you are giving them five games but Punjab has not got even one. That makes it clear that politics is being played,” he further added.
‘The fans shall be disappointed’ – Mohali MLA
Meanwhile, Mohali MLA also felt that it was unfortunate that a city like Mohali, which is renowned because of the PCA stadium and its hospitality, is not hosting a single match in the upcoming ODI World Cup. “The fans shall be disappointed. PCA hosted many historic matches and its exclusion from the schedule is unfortunate,” he said.
While Mohali has been left out to host any match in the mega event, the world’s largest cricket stadium, Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, is hosting some big matches like the opening match of the tournament. After that, the venue will host the most anticipated game of the tournament between India and Pakistan on October 15th. The final will also be played in Ahmedabad on November 19th.
Here is how fans reacted to Meet Hayer’s statement
Roger Binny is still at the helm, but only one game has been allotted to Chinnaswamy, and that game is also a useless match. The ground, which lacks a basic drainage system, gets important games. On what basis are Dharamshala and Chepauk getting games?
— Rajesh (@rajeshKA70) June 28, 2023
Who would want the important and big games to played and watched at a stadium with 25-30,000 capacity. 🙃🙄
Politics is being played by this Punjab minister— MJGooner📢 (@ImMayurJindal) June 28, 2023
Yep Mohali should have hosted but I reckon many states are not getting matches and that is bound to happen in a country like India . I think BCCI should compensate these stadiums by giving 2026 T20 wC rights to these nations . As India will host 3 ICC tournaments next cycle
— Abhisek@2816 (@AbhisekBChoudh2) June 28, 2023
So as for Sawai Mansingh stadium Jaipur
As there is a congress government there— Take My Note (@Cricpoints1) June 28, 2023
I think important matches will be played in bigger stadiums so more people can watch it , modi stadium can have 1 lakh + people, think about people who wait so much for India vs Pak and if this type of match is played in a small stadium then only 30-35 k people can watch jt
— Aryan1.exe (@aryan_ye_he) June 28, 2023
Not any politics there Mohali stadium is finished the new stadium is not ready yet that's why they don't have any match and second in Punjab khalistani threw out country's flag than why bcci give them any game and security problems there that's why they don't have any game
— Bhargav Rajput (@BhargavRajput18) June 28, 2023
Raipur international cricket stadium is just made for show piece. It is clearly political propaganda where Ahmedabad is now replacing Mumbai.
— Akash Navodayan🇮🇳 (@imakashkaushik) June 28, 2023
— Jim Is Here To Take Care of Him (@RoastHimJim) June 28, 2023
Fact is that Mohali stadium (IS Bindra Stadium) is now defunct, whereas the new stadium being constructed at Mullanpur is in it's final stages of completion, meaning thereby that there's no stadium of international level available to host a match in Punjab
— Nilesh (@crimson_pants) June 28, 2023
Hyderabad and Bengaluru have been given with sub standard games and especially Hyderabad is deprived of India game.
That's how this Ahmedabad is given importance for every big game.
Why not Chennai or Kolkata or Bengaluru etc for big matches?
Big seating capacity isn't the reason— Deepu (@deepuGiant) June 28, 2023
Then what about Hyderabad man we are the best sports lover in our country and even in busy hours if any Indian match is there most of the people will come to stadium 🏟️ and cheer for our team but sadly there is not a single Indian match is there for us and did we cry on it
— ashish siddem (@ASiddem) June 28, 2023