It was no different today at the Kotla where India and New Zealand clash in the fifth and final One-day international on Wednesday to decide the five-match series. Some former Ranji Trophy players were among the pass-seekers.

And as usual, most of the officials handling passes were missing from the scene as scores of cricket enthusiasts were kept waiting at the gate even as an official announced that ``all tickets had been sold out''.

The ground was looking lush green for a change and pitch curator Radheysham was seen giving last-minute instructions to groundsmen on the behaviour of the wicket where the Delhi-Haryana Ranji match was played last month. He predicted advantage for the team batting second as ``morning dew would help the seamers''.

Nationalselector Madan Lal and former India opener Chetan Chauhan were among those who had a close look at the track in the evening.

DDCA sports secretary Sunil Dev looked a happy man as he expected a ``full house'' for the crucial game. When confronted with allegations of black-marketing of tickets and their non-availability even before the start of sale, Sunil Dev washed his hands off saying, ``The sale was done through a nationalised bank. We (DDCA) is not in the picture at all.''

Tickets for the match are: Rs 7,000 (balcony), Rs 2,000 (club enclosure), Rs 1,000 (Spl Enclosure) and Rs 200 (for clubs and students at Rs 100).

With the series tied at 2-2, there is more clamour for `complimentaries' for the Delhi match.