A lack of water access for spectators at the MCA Stadium in Pune during a hot and humid day caused chaos and health issues on the first day of the India vs New Zealand 2nd Test match. During the lunch break, hundreds of fans gathered near the North Stand seeking water but it was unavailable, leading to police intervention to control the crowd.
Around 20 people reported dehydration and dizziness and received treatment at the North Stand’s first-aid kiosk. With temperatures exceeding 30°C, a staff member suggested that dehydration cases were likely higher in other sections of the stadium as well.
The MCA Stadium, situated on the outskirts of Pune near the Mumbai expressway, can hold 37,000 people, and about 18,000 fans attended the third Test match, the first held there since 2019. Over half of the spectators had to endure the heat and humidity, as only six of the stadium’s stands are covered by a roof.
Although the MCA had initially promised free water for this game, the disorganized situation led many fans to purchase water from vendors at inflated prices. One fan even mentioned spending more on water than on his ticket for the entire Test match.
After water was finally provided to the spectators, MCA secretary Kamlesh Pisal apologized to the fans and announced that additional water booths would be installed throughout the stands starting on Friday. Speaking to a gaggle of reporters Pisal said “We can only apologise to the fans for the inconvenience caused, but we want to assure them, through MCA, that this won’t be repeated, and everything will be taken care of.”