Fault in our ken: BCCI's unwillingness to abide protocols deprive fans of Ind vs Eng T20Is

The rise in COVID-19 cases in Gujarat and in the country has forced the remainder of the T20I series between India and England to take place behind closed doors in Ahmedabad. 

The Vice President of the Gujarat Cricket Association Dhanraj Nathwani has in fact said that the refunds would be made to the fans who had bought tickets for the T20I fixtures.

Here’s a look at how the spike in COVID-19 cases altered BCCI’s plans of having fans in the stands. 

Inauguration of the largest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad and bio-bubble breach

The Narendra Modi Stadium witnessed its first-ever clash when India took on England in the third Test of the four-match series. The BCCI had allowed a 50% crowd in the stadium. While the match ended in the home side’s favour, the “external” factors didn’t seem to be much appreciable.  

Ahead of the match, BCCI Honorary Secretary Jay Shah and Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju were seen in the stadium without masks trotting around the premises that included the dressing room of the two teams. The two even faced some backlash on social media for the same. 

Later, Union Home Minister Amit Shah was seen felicitating India fast bowler Ishant Sharma for his 100th Test match on the first day of the game on February 24. 

The country recorded over 16,000 new COVID-19 cases on this particular day. 

Fan enters the field

The third Test between the two sides was the Day-Night Test. Another controversial visual from the match came out when a fan breached the security and came onto the field to meet skipper Virat Kohli. 

Though, a GCA official made the most predictable negotiation on the matter and said that the board will 'look' into the matter. "We will look into the matter and we will find out who the fan was. Some sort of action we will take as the matter is serious and the safety of everyone is of utmost importance.”

While the GCA official tagged the matter as 'serious' and emphasised that the 'safety' of everyone kept the utmost important, the BCCI continued to allow 50% of the crowd in the next Test as well the first two T20Is. 

The fourth and final Test began on March 4 while the country saw more than 16,000 new COVID-19 cases on this day and over 17000 cases a day before. Amid the difficult situation, India won the Test series to march into the WTC final. 

T20I series begins with FANS CONTINUING TO STAY IN STANDS

The T20I series started in a disappointing manner for India as England grabbed an easy win in Ahmedabad. But what was more disappointing? The presence of "50%" spectators in the stands which of course never looked like one despite the COVID-19 graph rising with each passing day. 

The first T20I between the two teams took place on March 12 while the country had more than 19,000 new cases a day before and over 20,000 new cases on the match day in the country. 

‘We won’t put masks on’

No this wasn’t a recorded statement by anyone but it seemed as if the fans in the stands wanted to convey this message. There have been pictures on social media of the spectators without masks during the second T20I between India and England. The match was held on March 14. 

March 13 and 14 are probably the two dates that have seen the most rise in the number of new COVID-19 cases. While the country had more than 25,000 new cases on the 13th March, 14th March witnessed over 26,000 new cases. 

The 50% crowd were allowed to make sure that people have proper space between them and are maintaining social distancing but this too was evidently missing. 

It is understandable that the fans and spectators do make a difference when the cricket season is on but the pandemic has changed few things for one and all. If the boards plan to hold matches with crowds then they need to have proper arrangements to abide by the protocols and make the fans do the same.