Ranchi, Dec 2: Serious allegations of large-scale mismanagement, black marketing and fraud have rocked the India–South Africa ODI at Ranchi’s iconic JSCA Stadium, triggering public anger and political backlash.
Concerns first escalated when Jharkhand High Court advocate Dheeraj Kumar accused the JSCA of major irregularities in ticket sales and pass distribution. He said only a judicial inquiry can reveal how tickets and passes were actually allotted.
Former Chief Minister Arjun Munda also slammed the system, saying thousands of genuine fans were left disappointed after failing to get tickets both online and offline.
As the match day approached, the situation worsened with a flood of counterfeit tickets. Many desperate spectators bought tickets on the black market at three to five times the actual price. Reports suggest that tickets worth Rs 1,600 were sold for 5,300–6,000, with some fans even paying Rs 8,000 to 15,000.
Moreover, several of these tickets failed barcode scanning at the stadium’s entrance. Members of the ticket-checking team said that the fake tickets were scanned copies of real ones and could be identified by touch. Those carrying counterfeit tickets were denied entry, leading to frustration and allegations of fraud against authorities.
People also claimed that fake tickets were being openly sold near the stadium. Some spectators alleged the police used lathicharge to control the crowd, accusing them of resorting to force to hide the mismanagement.
The confusion around online and offline ticket distribution created a perfect opportunity for cybercriminals, who targeted fans looking for tickets. Multiple complaints of cyber fraud have been filed at the Ranchi Cyber Police Station.
Notably, ticket demand surged as Ranchi’s iconic JSCA Stadium hosted an ODI after more than three years. In this most-awaited affair, the KL Rahul-led Indian team defeated South Africa by 17 runs, securing a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
