The ongoing series between India and England marked the return of large number of crowds to the stadium in India. Though the first of the 4-match Test series was played behind closed doors, crowd was allowed from the second Test match onwards! The first two games of the 5-match series saw a big rise in the audience with 67K and 66K watching the game from the ground.
However, Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had to take the necessary steps to curb the increasing COVID-19 cases in the city. Earlier, GCA has also ordered the early closure of malls and restaurants in the city to break the chain and slow down the spread. Now the same rules will be applied for the remaining 3 T20Is of the series as well which are to be played behind closed doors.
Important update:
— Gujarat Cricket Association (Official) (@GCAMotera) March 15, 2021
Due to rise in the number of Corona cases, GCA has decided to conduct the remaining 3 T20's behind closed doors. Whoever has already purchased the tickets for the respective three T20's would be refunded positively once the formal decisions are taken
“The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in consultation with the Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) has decided to conduct the final three T20Is against England at the Narendra Modi Stadium behind closed doors. The decision was arrived at following detailed discussions with the state and local health authorities,” stated BCCI in their media release.
“The BCCI will continue to comply with all the regulations put in place to curb the spread of the Covid-19 virus and will always put the health and safety of its fans and stakeholders at the top. Those who have purchased tickets for any or all three T20Is will be refunded and the process for the same will be announced in due course,” added the media release.
Post completion of the T20I series, India and England will play a 3-match ODI series starting from March 23. All the three games are to be hosted in Pune. Comparatively, the COVID situation is worst in Maharashtra than in Gujarat at the moment. So one can except the three ODIs to be played behind doors as well. On the other hand, IPL 2021 is scheduled to be played in India and will kick start on April 09. If there is any doubt to see crowds in IPL, then that can be put to rest with this recent announcement form BCCI!
The 5-match T20I series is currently level 1-1 with 3 matches to go in the series. England won the first T20I by 8 wickets while India won the second T20I by 7 wickets. The remaining 3 T20Is will be played on Tuesday (Mar 16), Thursday (Mar 18) and Saturday (Mar 20).
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