If you happened to be one of the 53,000-odd cricket fans who couldn't watch a ball being bowled at the Dr DY Patil Stadium in what would have been the last of the seven one-dayers between India and Australia, don't tear your ticket off in disappointment.
If you happened to be one of the 53,000-odd cricket fans who couldn't watch a ball being bowled at the Dr DY Patil Stadium in what would have been the last of the seven one-dayers between India and Australia, don't tear your ticket off in disappointment.
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The reverse of yesterday's match ticket that says (encircled) no refunds will be made |
Those who bought tickets or were prevented from reaching the plush stadium thanks to inclement weather, or were forced to enjoy to the music instead of the cricket in the stands can hope for some reimbursement off their ticket price.
All this despite the ticket clearly mentioning that there will be "no refund."
"This is the first time that a match organised by the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has been completely washed out. We hope justice is done to spectators," MCA treasurer Prof Ratnakar Shetty told MiD DAY last night.
"We cannot commit as to how much will be refunded at this stage since it depends on whether our insurance claim is approved."
Explaining the complexities of the insurance claim, Shetty said, "MCA insures all the international matches that we host. There is no liability till one ball is bowled. In this case there was not a ball bowled so we are going to make a claim to the Oriental Insurance company."
Though Leander Dias, Oriental Insurance's Administrative Officer was not in a position to confirm whether the claim would be settled, he assured quick processing of the claim.
"I feel sorry for the fans. This is one of the most unfortunate events in my 22-year insurance experience. We offer full-hearted support to MCA," Dias said. "MCA and Oriental Insurance have developed an intense bonding during their long relationship. We are very eager to process the claim as per the advice of our Deputy General Manager (Reena Bhatnagar)."
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Fans who turned up at the stadium hoping for a miracle now hope for a refund. "Even if it's printed on the ticket that there'll be no refund, we will be reimbursed since there wasn't any action," said Narendra Jain, a businessman who drove to Nerul from South Mumbai after spending Rs 2,000 for a ticket.
Jain and thousands of others would be hoping that they get a refund just like in Australia where spectators are reimbursed the full amount if less than 20 overs are bowled.
Parita Patel, a young cricket enthusiast, was left wondering whether she would get a refund for a ticket booked on the Internet. "I thought I was very lucky to buy tickets on the Net. We had to collect our tickets at the venue but I didn't travel to Navi Mumbai due to the rain threat. I wonder how I will get my money back," she wondered.
