As Mullanpur’s Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium gears up to host its first men’s international match on Thursday, December 11, a surprising trend has emerged just hours before the India vs South Africa 2nd T20I — multiple stands remain unsold.
Despite the historic occasion and the hype around Punjab’s newest international venue, ticket demand is noticeably low. According to the latest seat-map data on Zomato’s ticketing platform, 10 different blocks still have tickets available, including seats in North Pavilion, West Terrace, South Upper Tier, and South-East Upper Tier.
Why are tickets not sold out yet?
Early indicators suggest that the absence of senior stars such as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma could be a major factor. Both India and South Africa have approached this series with younger squads, and fans appear less eager compared with previous high-profile fixtures.
Additionally, Chandigarh’s dense smog, December cold, and weekday scheduling may also be contributing to the slower turnout.
Venue hosts its first international game today
Mullanpur’s new international stadium — which delivered a mixed bag of IPL matches earlier this year ranging from 200+ totals to low-scoring thrillers — is set for its national debut under challenging conditions.
Fog, dew and visibility concerns are expected to play a major role, especially during the second innings.
Match day details
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Match: India vs South Africa, 2nd T20I
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Date: Thursday, December 11, 2025
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Time: 7:00 PM IST
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Venue: Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, New Chandigarh
The venue’s unpredictability combined with today’s weather conditions has piqued interest among cricket analysts, even though the ticketing trend tells a different story on-ground.
What the seat map shows
Screenshots from Zomato’s booking interface display:
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10 blocks still open
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Seats available in North Pavilion Terrace A & B, West Terrace A, South-West Upper Tier, 1 South Upper Tier, 2 South Upper Tier, and South-East Upper Tier
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Several lower-tier sections are close to full but not completely sold out
With only hours left for the toss, it remains to be seen whether local crowds will pick up late, or if the stadium’s historic international debut will unfold in front of significant empty stands.
