Ranchi ODI Ticket Row Deepens Over Alleged Excess Distribution of Free Passes

The controversy over ticket distribution for the India-South Africa ODI held at the JSCA International Cricket Stadium in Ranchi on November 30, 2025, has intensified, with allegations that the number of complimentary passes issued for the match far exceeded the prescribed limit.

In an affidavit submitted before the BCCI Ombudsman and retired Supreme Court Justice Arun Kumar Mishra, complainant Nandu Patel has alleged that 10,014 more complimentary passes were distributed than permitted under the rules. He has claimed that the alleged excess distribution resulted in a potential ticket revenue loss of around Rs 2.08 crore for the Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA).

The affidavit was filed on August 18, 2026, in compliance with paragraph 12 of an order issued by the BCCI Ombudsman on July 29, 2026. It places detailed figures relating to the stadium's seating capacity, complimentary passes and tickets sold before the authority.

35.30 per cent of capacity allegedly covered by free passes

According to the figures cited in the affidavit, the JSCA International Cricket Stadium has a capacity of 39,579 seats. The complainant has stated that BCCI regulations permit complimentary passes equivalent to a maximum of 10 per cent of the total capacity, which would work out to around 3,958 seats.

However, the affidavit claims that 13,972 complimentary passes were issued for the match. That figure represents about 35.30 per cent of the stadium's total capacity.

If the figures cited in the complaint are established, the number of passes allegedly distributed above the prescribed ceiling would stand at 10,014.

The issue is significant because every complimentary seat potentially reduces the number of seats available for paying spectators. This makes the actual distribution figures important not only from a regulatory perspective but also in determining the revenue generated from a high-profile international match.

Questions raised over public ticket sales

The affidavit has also questioned the number of tickets actually made available for public sale.

Based on the 90 per cent threshold cited in the complaint, around 35,621 seats should have been available for paying spectators. Against this, the complainant has claimed that only 22,271 tickets were sold through public sale, equivalent to around 56.26 per cent of the stadium's total capacity.

Patel has estimated the alleged loss in ticket revenue at Rs 2,08,13,500. The complaint further refers to a possible loss of Rs 37,46,430 in GST and Rs 10,40,675 in HEC gate levy.

These figures are allegations presented in the affidavit and would need to be examined against the official ticketing records, seating plans, complimentary-pass registers and financial accounts of the match.

Premium areas also under scrutiny

The affidavit has highlighted the distribution of complimentary passes in specific sections of the stadium.

The Amitabh Choudhary Pavilion Premium Terrace has 2,906 seats. According to the complaint, the permissible number of complimentary passes for this section was around 290, but 2,200 passes were allegedly issued.

Similarly, the JSCA President's Enclosure has a capacity of 700 seats. The complainant has claimed that the permissible limit was 70 complimentary passes, whereas 440 were allegedly distributed.

The figures, if verified, suggest that the alleged issue was not limited to the overall stadium allocation but extended to individual seating categories as well.

JSCA office-bearers named in complaint

The complainant has also questioned the alleged role of several JSCA office-bearers in the distribution of complimentary passes. These include JSCA secretary Saurabh Tiwari, treasurer Amitabh Ghosh and vice-president Sanjay Pandey, who was also the official ticket in-charge for the match, among others.

However, it is important to distinguish between allegations and established findings. The figures and accusations currently form part of the complaint and affidavit and do not, by themselves, establish wrongdoing by the individuals named.

The next steps in the matter, including responses from the concerned parties and any findings or directions issued by the BCCI Ombudsman, will therefore be crucial.

Beyond the question of how many complimentary passes were issued, the dispute has raised a broader issue over transparency in ticket allocation, public access to seats and accounting of ticket-related revenue during international matches in Ranchi. Verification of the official records could determine whether the alleged discrepancies were genuine regulatory violations or resulted from differences in how various categories of seats and passes were accounted for.

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