Key Points
- The 13th edition of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in India began on 5 October with England playing New Zealand.
- The tournament has seen airfares rise close to twice the average, says a travel agent.
- International as well as domestic airfares have been impacted by the ICC Men’s World Cup.
The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup is back on Indian soil after 12 years, and many cricket enthusiasts are excited to attend matches and support their favourite teams.
Many fans of the Indian team who may have seen them lift the World Cup in 2011, have since moved to Australia and to other parts of the world after.
Such fans are particularly keen on catching the action in their home country and hoping that history repeats itself.
Fans India cheering on the Indian team during the World Cup. Credit: Vatsal Desai
Mr Desai said events like the World Cup come every four years, and this time, it is happening in India, which is his home country.
I would take advantage of visiting my home while enjoying the cricket action by going to various stadia. After all, we have secured such costly tickets.Vatsal Desai, Indian Cricket Fan
Mr Desai has been planning this visit to India for quite some time.
He has set aside money and time to be able to cheer on his team.
I am a registered nurse, and our workload is very high. But my employer knows my passion for the game. Therefore, he has granted me leave, allowing me to cheer for my favourite team, India.Vatsal Desai, Indian Cricket Fan
Cricket captains pose for photographs with the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup trophy in Ahmedabad on 4 October. Source: AP / Rafiq Maqbool/AP
Many in India and abroad had hoped to attend the ICC Cricket World Cup matches, but they couldn’t purchase tickets for some high-profile matches as they were sold out within a few minutes of being advertised, leaving them hugely disappointed.
For instance, tickets for the much-awaited clash between India and Pakistan sold out in a few minutes even despite a rigorous registration process.
Some fans who are still searching for tickets for the India vs Pakistan game in Ahmedabad, are feeling “unlucky.”
Mr Desai revealed that he spent an “enormous amount” to attend the match.
I have purchased a package which includes the match ticket and hotel stay, it has cost me around 90,000 Indian Rupees ($1,700).Vatsal Desai, Indian Cricket Fan
Roaring for Team India
Mr Mistry, an entrepreneur, is also a member of the Fans India group, a community of cricket fans that turns up at every match India plays.
We have planned to cheer and chant during all the World Cup matches India will play. We will create a buzz and electrifying atmosphere inside and outside the stadia as we do in Australia.Mehul Mistry, Indian Cricket Fan
Mr Mistry and Mr Desai, with the support of other members of the club and the general public, have also planned to organise a march before the India-Pakistan game in Ahmedabad on 14 October.
“We will march to the stadium from the hotel before the match and play some music, songs with drums to boost the audience’s energy,” Mr Mistry said.
Airfares to India have been going through the roof due to the cricket World Cup. Source: AAP
Airfares to India skyrocket
The tournament, which takes place in 10 cities across India spanning over a month, has seen airfares almost double in price.
Nirav Kotak, a Sydney-based travel agent said, “Airfares change regularly. Of course, the cricket World Cup has pushed enthusiastic travellers to visit India from Australia and worldwide.”
In general, return airfares which are generally around the $1,000-mark for Sydney-New Delhi, have increased to approximately $1,600 or more, especially for dates close to popular matches like India vs Pakistan (14 October) or India vs Australia (8 October).
Not only have international airfares seen such a rise, but domestic flights are also becoming costlier around some match dates.
“Another example of such a price hike was noticed in regard to the New Delhi-Chennai flight. India will take on the mighty Australian side in Chennai on 8 October. The one-way fare is usually around $80 but now has risen to nearly $150 or more around that date,” Mr Kotak added.
Mr Desai said that as an avid cricket fan who usually attends every match that India plays while in Australia, this time he will do the same in India.
“This time, I will be in India to watch the India vs Australia game in Chennai, India vs Afghanistan in New Delhi and India vs Pakistan game at Ahmedabad.”
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