Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) on Friday formally announced that 45,000 school and college students would be given free passes to the India-Australia Test match in Ranchi from March 16 to 20.

With the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Dhurwa gearing up to host its maiden Test, the association is working overtime to ensure that the stands are cheerfully chock-a-block on all days. Besides the invite to students from across the state, the JSCA plans to launch a promotional blitzkrieg in key cities such as Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Bokaro and Dhanbad through radio jingles and hoardings.

On Thursday, the JSCA had announced its ticket rates, but considering the ongoing trend of poor turnout in Test matches across India and abroad, the cricket outfit is heavily banking on enthusiastic students during all five days of the longest format of the gentleman's game.

An official communiqué on Friday evening said 45,000 students would get free passes during the Test. Since the stadium has a capacity of around 39,000 spectators, the authorities plan to divide the passes day-wise.

"To make the event historic in more ways than one for Jharkhand, the JSCA is bringing 35,000 schoolchildren along with 10,000 college youths to cheer for Team India," read an official release, mentioning that students from schools and colleges in Gumla, Hazaribagh and Ramgarh would come to watch the match.

"To ensure safety of schoolchildren, proper guidelines have been issued. Schools have been advised to send students in batches of 20, each batch represented by a teacher," the release added.

JVM-Shyamali, the alma mater of former India captain and iconic cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni, confirmed having received the official invite.

Principal A.K. Singh said the JSCA had asked them to send around 1,000 children for the match, but they were not sure if they could meet that number during exam time.

"The Test dates are clashing with those of school and CBSE exams. Students of Classes XI and XII are already appearing for their annual exams and boards, respectively. From March 16, Class X boards will begin. Thereafter, Class IX annual will kick off in all schools. So, most students and teachers will be busy. Junior students can't be sent without mentors either. We are trying to send at least 500 students to Dhurwa," Singh added.

Should free passes be given to students for every match? Tell ttkhand@abpmail.com