India vs South Africa T20I: Online tickets from Dec 1, offline sales from Dec 5 as Barabati Stadium capacity set at 41,000

Cuttack: Ahead of the India-South Africa T20 International on December 9, preparations are in full swing at Cuttack’s Barabati Stadium, with the Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) finalising the ticketing schedule and authorities capping the stadium capacity at 41,000 to ensure a smoother match-day experience.

OCA announced that offline ticket sales will begin on December 5 at six counters inside Barabati Stadium. Tickets for affiliated cricket units will be distributed on December 3 and 4. Online ticket sales will go live on December 1 through a private agency.

OCA secretary Sanjay Behera informed the media that the online booking system has been upgraded to avoid the glitches fans faced in past matches. He added that preparations inside the stadium are being ramped up to ensure spectators enjoy a trouble-free experience during the high-profile T20 clash.

Authorities have also decided to reduce the ticket count from 44,000 to around 41,000 based on recommendations from the Commissionerate Police, TNIE reported. The adjustment, mainly from certain galleries, follows concerns over crowd movement and infrastructure limitations. A technical team from IIT-Bhubaneswar recently reviewed the stadium’s structural and electrical setups as part of the safety preparation.

To prevent ticket fraud, offline tickets will carry special police stamps and strict measures are being put in place to curb black marketing. Police personnel in plain clothes will be stationed around Barabati Stadium, Cantonment Road and other nearby zones to keep an eye on illegal ticket sales.

The concerns stem from challenges faced during the India, England ODI earlier this year, when authorities struggled to control black marketeers and a malfunctioning floodlight halted the match for over half an hour. To avoid a repeat, backup generator sets will be installed for floodlights, galleries, the pavilion and the media centre.

Chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi has instructed officials to ensure top-tier security and flawless arrangements for the December 9 match.