IND vs AUS 3rd Test: Rain costs Cricket Australia Rs 8.5 crore as fans get full refunds for Day 1 washout
Cricket Australia (CA) faced a massive financial setback on Day 1 of the third Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test at The Gabba, Brisbane, as torrential rain marred proceedings. Despite a full house with an official attendance of 30,145 spectators, only 13.2 overs of play were possible before the day was called off due to relentless downpour.
According to CA’s refund policy, fans are entitled to a full refund if less than 15 overs are bowled in a day. With just 10 deliveries short of the cutoff, CA is set to refund more than ₹8.5 crore, making it one of the costliest rain-affected days in cricket history. The stadium, packed with eager spectators, turned into a scene of disappointment as hopes of resumption faded by 4:15 pm local time.
Financial breakdown of losses:
- Per Ball: ₹10.6 lakh
- Per Over: ₹64.4 lakh
- Per Run: ₹30.3 lakh
Despite late optimism for play, 40 mm of rain in just an hour ensured no further action, much to the dismay of fans and organizers alike. The hosts will be ruing the narrow margin of 10 deliveries, which could have saved them over USD 1 million in refunds.
What’s next?
The focus now shifts to Day 2, with Travis Head and Steve Smith set to resume Australia’s innings at 0/28. Meanwhile, Cricket Australia will look to recover from this financial blow as the series progresses. Fans and stakeholders will be hoping for uninterrupted play to avoid further losses and ensure an engaging Test match for everyone.