Sourav Ganguly confirms GST will be levied on tickets for India-Australia series

The Goods and Service Tax (GST) was introduced in India by the government on July 1, 2017 and was made applicable throughout the country as it replaced multiple cascading taxes levied by the central and state governments.

The Kangaroos are set to take on India for 5 ODI’s and three Twenty20s (T20Is) and following the implementation of GST, Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president Ganguly told reporters that GST will be levied on tickets for the India-Australia game at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on September 21. 

The application of GST means that tickets costing Rs 500 will be priced at Rs 650 owing to the 28% GST charge while those of Rs 1,000 will cost Rs 1,300 and spectators go for the Rs 1,500 tickets will now have to shell out Rs 1,900.

Ganguly confirmed this news saying, "Ticket prices will remain the same. Only 28 percent GST will be levied." However, he also clarified that GST won’t affect the ticket prices of the longest format of the game. "Test match tickets won't be affected as tickets are charged on a day to day basis."

Speaking on his views about the series itself, the ‘Prince of Kolkata’ said, "It won't be easy to beat India in India," Ganguly said. Meanwhile, India started the ongoing ODI series against Sri Lanka with a thumping 9-wicket win over the home side in Dambulla yesterday, and Ganguly admitted that there is a possibility of India handing the hosts another series defeat after India swept the preceding Test series 3-0. "Very likely. India can hand another drubbing to Sri Lanka."