The much anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy test series between India and Australia began in Adelaide on Thursday. But speculation is already mounting that the Indian cricket board's refusal to play the day-night test match might have kept fans away from the stadium.
As per a story published on news.com.au, the South Australian Cricket Association (SACA) Chief Executive Keith Bradshaw said before the test, "The sales of the tickets are not as high as in previous years at the same venue."
Adelaide Oval has been hosting day-night test matches since 2015, but this time, the Indian cricket board has refused the offer from the hosts to play the test match under the lights.
"It has been an issue, it has affected ticket sales. One of the characteristics that we have noticed is that we are quite down in interstate sales given it's a day test, not a day-night test. There is definitely a day-night factor, without a doubt."
"Fans have absolutely voted with their feet the last few years but we have had day-night tests and we have been significantly up for attendances," he added.
Adelaide has hosted New Zealand, South Africa and England in day-night matches but the Indian cricket board refused the request by the Australian cricket board to play the match under lights with the pink ball.
Source: Amit Shah
Amit Shah, a sports Journalist from India who is covering the Adelaide test, told SBS Gujarati, "The play of the first day of the match has already started and even though the Indian team is batting first, some stands are almost empty."
"The fact that it is a working day could be one of the reasons why people stay away from the stadium," he added.
Apart from the day test, another reason for low crowd numbers could be the public transport system in Adelaide, as no trains will run on the weekends of the first test.
Source: Amit Shah
Keith said, "We are very disappointed that the trains won't be running on Saturday and Sunday. But, there is a lot of work that has been done in order to provide a substitute bus service and we are working very closely with the government to ensure that we can provide the best service possible."
