IND vs SA: BCCI officials summoned by Kolkata Police over alleged black marketing of match tickets, says report

The Kolkata Police have reportedly summoned the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) after a fan filed a complaint of alleged black marketing of tickets for the India vs South Africa World Cup match scheduled for 5 November.

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According to a report in the Indian Express, a case was registered at the Maidan Police Station in Kolkata after the fan alleged that the general public were unable to get tickets due to “connivance” of BookMyShow, the online ticketing portal, as well as the BCCI and CAB.

An investigation into the matter is currently underway.

“It has been alleged that certain officials of the BCCI, along with officials of the CAB and the online portal BookMyShow, has purposefully put aside a large chunk of the tickets meant for the general public, making those available to the black marketers for the purpose of their personal gains,” a senior police official was quoted as saying by the Indian Express.

The police had also issued a notice to CAB with, asking an official appear before them. “A notice has also been served to the official of BookMyShow seeking the appearance of their concerned official at Maidan police station tomorrow to assist the police in the investigation of the alleged matter,” an official said on Thursday.

Rohit Sharma-led India are unbeaten in the 2023 World Cup so far, with their latest win over Sri Lanka in Mumbai on Thursday helping the Men in Blue seal a spot in the semi-finals.

After Virat Kohli (88), Shubman Gill (92) and Shreyas Iyer (82) led India to 357, Mohammed Shami ran riot with a five-fer to bundle out the Lankans for just 55. India now have seven wins in as many matches, and next face South Africa at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday.