JCA to distribute free tickets to school children for the Windies v India ODI and T20I

In the on-going 5 match ODI series underway in the Caribbean Islands, the score line of the series reads two in favour of Team India while the hosts have won 1, while the first one was a washout. This means that the fifth and final ODI is a must-win for India to ensure they seal the series or will have to make peace with a draw. The fifth ODI is to be played at Kingston’s Sabina Park.

The hosts’ Windies haven’t been able to attract a quantifiable crowd to the stadiums, largely because some of their key players are not playing the series. However, to ensure that the final ODI is not played in front of empty stands, the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) is planning to invite school going children to come and watch the last two games live – the other game being the solitary T20I.

According to a report in the Jamaica Observer, the board will be distributing free tickets to cricket teams from 30 schools – fifteen tickets per school. Few tickets will also be distributed among youth organisations and children’s homes.

For fans, the T20I match will be an eagerly awaited as West Indies’ star batsman Chris Gayle, a T20 specialist, will be making his comeback to the national team with this match. Surprisingly, this will also be his very first T20 match at his home ground in Kingston where he was born. The big man last played a T20 international for Windies in the final of the World T20 2016 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, which his team won. However, in the IPL 10, he underperformed so much that he was benched for quite a few games.

However, he was not at his best in the IPL and his form dipped to the extent that the Royal Challengers Bangalore had to bench him.

Kohli will eye series win 

For Indian captain, Virat Kohli, who is under the scanner for his alleged role in ex-India coach Anil Kumble’s resignation, winning the series will be very important. India are currently without a coach but should be getting one soon before they fly to Sri Lanka towards the end of the month. Former Team India director Ravi Shastri remains the frontrunner in the race.