Cricket fever has reached a crescendo in Ranchi, the hometown of the legendary MS Dhoni, as fans eagerly anticipate the return of star batsmen Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for the first ODI against South Africa on November 30th.

The excitement is so intense that despite the dropping temperatures, fans have been lining up since midnight to secure tickets for the match at the JSCA International Cricket Stadium.

The Rush for Tickets

The extraordinary demand for tickets is driven primarily by the presence of the two biggest crowd-pullers in world cricket, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who are returning to the ODI squad for this home series.

• Online Sell-Out: The available online tickets for the Ranchi ODI were reportedly sold out within approximately three hours of going live.

• Offline Rush: Following the rapid online sell-out, the rush shifted to the stadium counters. The offline sale of tickets at the JSCA Stadium counters was scheduled to begin on November 25th.

• Fan Dedication: Reports indicate fans are disregarding the late-night cold to take their place in queues, desperate not to miss the high-profile fixture featuring the two modern legends. The most affordable ticket categories, such as the East and West Hill stands (priced at around ₹1,200), were among the first to be snapped up.

Match Details

The match is the first of a three-match ODI series between India and South Africa.

The massive response in Dhoni’s city underscores the enduring popularity of Team India’s senior players, whose return to the ODI format after a short break has created a significant buzz among supporters.