What’s the story?
Tickets for IPL 2017 matches featuring Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium may be available but fans won’t be able to buy any stand tickets for their third home game. The game against Gujarat Lions which will take place on April 16th at 4 PM IST, will see the entire stadium filled with underprivileged children as part of the Reliance Foundation-Mumbai Indians Education For All (EFA) initiative.
A press release from the Mumbai Indians read: “Mumbai Indians will not be selling any stand tickets for its third home game, 16th April 2017 against Gujarat Lions as the entire stadium will be reserved for underprivileged children as part of Reliance Foundation-Mumbai Indians Education For All (EFA) initiative.”
Extra Cover: List of players bought by Mumbai Indians at the IPL 2017 auction
In case you didn’t know...
Tickets for six Mumbai Indians home games at the Wankhede stadium went out on sale on March 24 at the Box Office outlet at Gate 2 of the stadium while the online ticket sales have been on sale from the official website of the IPL franchise.
The Details
Education For All (EFA) had a humble beginning when it was started in 2010 but has continually gathered national momentum. This is not the first time that Mumbai Indians have taken part in this noble cause as it happened during the IPL match against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Wankhede stadium during IPL 2015.
Mumbai Indians had a quiet time at the IPL Auction 2017 where they remained benign for large portions, only flickering momentarily as they bought just seven players and just two players (K Gowtham and Karn Sharma) for more than what their base price was.
But they have a strong squad with the likes of Rohit Sharma, Lasith Malinga, Kieron Pollard and Harbhajan Singh in their ranks. But with just under two weeks to go before the start of IPL 2017, the side will be fretting over the fitness of the captain Rohit, who is nursing a knee injury and whether he will miss any matches or not.
Extra Cover: IPL 2017 Schedule: Full Time Table with venue ground details, PDF Download
What's next?
Mumbai Indians begin their IPL 2017 with an away game against Rising Pune Supergiants on April 6. Their first home game is against Kolkata Knight Riders on April 9 and will be held at the Wankhede stadium.
Author's Take
IPL has largely been dismissed by some as a money-making exercise and an entertainment rather than cricket, but as Mumbai Indians have shown there can be plenty of good that can come out of it as well. The initiative by Education For All and the partnership with Mumbai Indians is not only a great gesture but also that will make plenty of dreams come true.
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