India women vs England women: 'Absolutely rubbish', Fans slams MCA for poor arrangements at Wankhede Stadium

The T20I series opener between India women and England women on Wednesday at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai was overshadowed by poor management by the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA). The Wankhede Stadium witnessed a decent turnout from the fans, but the fans were left disappointed by the MCA’s mismanagement.

It was announced earlier by the MCA that fans would be allowed a free entry into the Wankhede Stadium on match day. However, one of the fans took to micro-blogging platform ‘X’ complained that only two stands had been opened, which meant that more than half the stadium remained empty.

“Absolutely rubbish management this by the MCA. That’s the freaking reason why I wanted tickets to be sold than being given a free entry.

“They have opened up only two stands, so more than half the stadium is empty,” the fan posted.

Absolutely rubbish management this by the MCA. That's the freaking reason why I wanted tickets to be sold than being given a free entry.

They have opened up only two stands, so more than half the stadium is empty. pic.twitter.com/ln8QiFe59W

— Jeet Vachharajani (Women's Cricket) (@Jeetv27WC) December 6, 2023

Some of the items prohibited from the stadium included selfie sticks, binoculars and even coins. One of them even questioned why binoculars was prohibited.

Genuine question: what’s with Binoculars? Why is it not allowed? https://t.co/3FG9w283Ls

— australian womens cricket with very little context (@awcwvlc) December 6, 2023

Apart from this, one of other major problems was that the only screen that was operational was the screen located behind the fans’ seats. It is pertinent to note that the big screens like in a stadium like the Wankhede are necessary due to the large distance between fans and players.

Let me tell you a Joke!

The only Screen operational inside the stadium, is the screen located right behind the seats with fans!

Watch the video to know how stupid & shameless our Admins are!#INDvENG pic.twitter.com/XtoZsD2CAA

— Nish Navalkar (@YUVI_NISH) December 6, 2023

Another fan noted that only one scoreboard, a small one on the sidelines of the boundary was operational throughout the match.

And the only tiny scoreboard

So disappointed pic.twitter.com/Cguz5GNC1d

— MILTON REGO (@MILTONREGO1) December 6, 2023

Shafali Verma’s fifty went in vain as India suffered a 38-run defeat on Wednesday. India had won the toss and opted to field, but half-centuries from Danielle Wyatt and Nat Sciver-Brunt led England to 197. In reply, Shafali almost single-handedly kept India in the game as she continued losing partners at the other end, before being dismissed in the 17^th over. India were restricted to 159/6 in their reply.

The second T20I of the three-match series takes place at the same venue on Saturday.