T20 World Cup 2024, IND vs PAK: 'Tickets are too expensive, watching it at the Mets Stadium in New York', reveal Indian fans in USA

The excitement for the India vs Pakistan T20 Cricket World Cup match this weekend is palpable not only in India but also in the United States of America. However, Mumbai and Indian fans in the US haven't found them to be very feasible. "It is quite expensive," says Shraddha, a Mumbaikar, who is a risk and compliance professional based out of New Jersey. "So, I will be heading to the New York Mets stadium in New York with friends and family for the screening," she adds. The 31-year-old is one of many Indians in the US who are very excited about the Cricket World Cup in the US and are making the most of it through the screening.

Also Read: T20 World Cup 2024, IND vs PAK: The clash beyond the borders!

The ICC T20 Cricket World Cup 2024 started on June 2 earlier this week with a bang with as many as 20 for the very first time in the history of the game. There is a lot of hope riding on the Indian cricket team, who also happened to be the first ones to win the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007 in South Africa under the captaincy of Mahendra Singh Dhoni. However, the coveted cup has been elusive since then. As Rohit Sharma leads the side into the tournament this time around, billions of cricket fans not only in India but also around the world are hoping for the team to win, especially after their failure at the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2019.

Even as India easily defeated Ireland earlier this week in their first match, fans are more excited for the match between the neighbours who are placed in Group A along with USA and Canada too. While USA has won their first two matches while handing Pakistan a shocking defeat in the last one, the latter will be looking to get back with full force. However, India and its supporters are a hypnotic bunch that can shake up any cricket stadium like Mumbai has experienced at the Wankhede Stadium.

Dealing with expensive tickets
While there are Indians living in India who are going for the match, the Mumbaikars and Indians in the US are also getting ready to watch the matches. With the most exciting among them being the match versus Pakistan, they will be watching it at the stadium through a watch party as their consolation due to the high prices of tickets and Shraddha is one of them. However, she is happy because there is nothing like cricket to unite a nation like India. "I am happy that I am able to witness the matches with the Indian diaspora away from home because it brings everyone together and it is a good feeling," he adds.

Also Read: T20 World Cup 2024, IND vs PAK: Faceoffs, Match-winners, Iconic knocks and spells

It is no different with Rahul (name changed) originally from Bengaluru, who is now a US resident living in New Jersey. He shares, "I find the tickets to be very expensive and that is why I will not be watching the matches. However, I plan to watch the matches at sports bars, the Mets stadium or at home with friends." The 32-year-old, who works as a supply chain manager is most excited for the India versus Pakistan match but misses watching the match in India at such times. "I am missing the hype and craziness we would get from watching the World Cup in India," he adds.

Even Anban (name changed), who is originally from Chennai and now lives in New Jersey is among the Indians who really want to watch the match. However, the high cost of tickets has dissuaded him from watching it in the stadium. He shares, "I am not watching the matches in the stadium because I did not secure the lottery and the secondary market is quite expensive." The 35-year-old data analyst is another member from the Indian diaspora who will be watching one of the biggest rivalries in modern day cricket at the MetLife stadium along with his family and friends this Sunday.

Price of fandom
Elsewhere in Mumbai, Rushab Mahale, who is a part of the North Stand Gang at the Wankhede Stadium, believes fans deserve more and should get more preference. He explains, "The ticket being expensive is something which we Indian fans are quite used to so nothing new for us. The global Indian fans are feeling the pinch for the first time, so it might be hurting them." However, he believes it practically doesn't make sense to bring his club cricket experience to shed light. "As the wicket is sub-par, you are going to see a low-scoring game. There is also no swing and no spin, which means we are not going to see a bowler's dream spell. All in all, if there isn't anything special to watch why should people pay such a high price?," he asks.

On the other hand, former Mumbaikar Harshvardhan Rodge, believes the tickets are aptly priced and cater to a different kind of crowd that can afford it. Living in Houston, Texas after having moved to the US 11 years ago, Rodge isn't going for the match but has friends in New York who are going for it. "It works for them because it is in New York itself so they save on flight tickets, hotels, and food. So, it is reasonable for them to show up for the match. However, for someone like me who lives in Houston or my friends who stay in California, it is a different time zone, and the stay and flight tickets make it expensive."

Rodge adds that even if the ticket prices are affordable, it is the overheads that become much more than that. "A few of my friends are catching up at my place and watching the match." As a fan and working individual in the US, Rodge believes the kind of job profiles that Indians and Pakistanis possess will see more blue than green at the match in the stadium on Sunday. The fact that the USA is home to many Indians, he believes shows why the future is bright for the International Cricket Council (ICC) in the country and the game of cricket is only going to grow after the ICC T20 Cricket World Cup. With that being said, the India vs Pakistan match may just be one of them that will show the potential interest and fandom at the stadium.