On the opening day of the India vs New Zealand second Test match at the MCA Stadium in Pune, a severe lack of water access for spectators sparked chaos and health concerns.
As temperatures in the western Indian state soared above 30°C and humidity levels remained high, cricket fans faced significant challenges in staying hydrated.
During the lunch break, hundreds of attendees gathered near the North Stand, desperately seeking water. However, their requests went unfulfilled, prompting police to step in to manage the increasingly restless crowd.
According to the media reports, around 20 individuals experienced dehydration and dizziness, necessitating treatment at the first-aid kiosk located in the North Stand.
A staff member suggested that the actual number of dehydration cases might have been higher in other parts of the stadium, where access to water was similarly restricted.
The MCA Stadium, which has a seating capacity of 37,000, welcomed approximately 18,000 fans on the opening day of of the second game-its first since 2019.
Unfortunately, over half of the spectators had to endure the sweltering conditions, as only six of the stadium’s stands are covered.
Despite earlier assurances from the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) that water would be provided free of charge, many fans resorted to purchasing bottles from vendors at inflated prices.
One attendee lamented spending more on water than on their ticket for the match.
In response to the outcry, MCA Secretary Kamlesh Pisal extended apologies to the fans and announced plans to install additional water booths throughout the stadium starting Friday.
Speaking to reporters, he stated, “We can only apologize to the fans for the inconvenience caused, but we want to assure them that this won’t be repeated, and everything will be taken care of.”
