Pune: After facing backlash over the non-availability of water on Day 1 of the second Test between India and New Zealand, the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) made amends by providing necessary arrangements at the MCA Stadium.
Fans were left reeling from the scorching heat and scarcity of water on the opening day leading to a chaotic situation at the stadium.
Chaos at MCA Stadium
Spectators slammed MCA for the lack of basic facilities as a massive protest prompted the volunteers to stack up water bottles for the disgruntled fans. Not just the drinking water, fans faced a nightmare while going to the toilet as there was no water available in the washrooms.
Fans complain to the security personnel about non-availability of water in the washrooms. Huge queues outside the public toilets. @sportstarweb pic.twitter.com/k9Wmgb9S0R
— Shayan Acharya (@ShayanAcharya) October 24, 2024
After facing the water nightmare on the opening day, fans were in for a better experience on the second day.
Around one lakh litres of RO water in 20-litre cans was arranged for the fans on Day 2, an MCA official informed PTI.
Around 3,800 bottles of 20 litres, each were available on a hot and humid Friday, while another 500 were kept in the stadium’s vicinity for backup.
“Another batch of 700 has been kept elsewhere, in case of requirement at later stages,” the official said.
MCA CEO Ajinkya Joshi, secretary Kamlesh Pisal and other officials spoke to the media on Friday to discuss the issues related to the venue.
The discussion centred around having a better media box for the media personnel, who are covering the match in makeshift arrangements.
Since the ODI World Cup 2023, the host cricket boards have been providing free drinking water at stadiums.
India stare at a massive defeat
New Zealand have taken complete control of the Pune Test after dominating Day 2 courtesy of a career-best seven-wicket haul by left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner and a half-century by skipper Tom Latham. The Kiwis have taken a huge 301-run lead against the hosts and with five wickets still in hand, the visitors are in pole position to take the game further away from India.
Santner (7/53) helped New Zealand bowl India out for a paltry 156 and take a first-innings lead of 103 runs.
Earlier, Indian batters’ lack of application saw the team slump to 107 for 7 at lunch despite sitting comfortably at 50 for 1 at one stage.
