Underprivileged children will fill the Wankhede Stadium for Mumbai Indians’ encounter against Gujarat Lions

The Mukesh Ambani-owned Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Mumbai Indians have begun their ticket sales on the 24th of March for the home fixtures of the upcoming season of the IPL. The fans, however, will not be able to buy the tickets for the home side’s third match against the new entree Gujarat Lions.

The game, which is going to take place on the 16th of April from 4 PM IST would be filled with unprivileged children in the stands, thanks to the Reliance Foundation-Mumbai Indians Education for all (EFA) initiative. EFA, as an action began in the year 2010 gaining momentum with a slow yet steady step. It also happens to be not the first time that the franchise has taken part in this noble case.

They initiated the same policy in their home clash against the Sunrisers from Hyderabad at the Wankhede Stadium back in 2015. A press release from the Mumbai Indians read: “Mumbai Indians will not be selling any stand tickets for its third home game, 16th April 2017 against Gujarat Lions as the entire stadium will be reserved for underprivileged children as part of Reliance Foundation-Mumbai Indians Education For All (EFA) initiative.”

The franchise from Mumbai has strengthened their squad at a steady pace, not going in unnecessarily in a war bid, unlike the previous seasons.

The side remained hidden almost throughout the entirety of the IPL Auctions, this year. They bought a total of 9 players out of which seven were purchased at their base price.

The other two players who were paid more than their base prices were Karnataka’s wicketkeeper K Gowtham and Railways’ leggie Karn Sharma.

It would, however, be interesting to see if the captain Rohit Sharma is fit to play in the IPL after a knee injury ruled him out of the Deodhar Trophy this week.