IND vs ENG: Spectators up to 50% of seating capacity to be allowed in 2nd Chennai Test

There are good chances of spectators returning to cricket stadiums in the upcoming series between India and England with the union government and the Tamil Nadu government issuing fresh SOPs regarding the containment of the novel coronavirus in Chennai, where the first two Tests of the series are scheduled to be hosted.

Although there is very little time left to make arrangements in the M.A. Chidambaram stadium in terms of Covid-19 protocols before the first Test scheduled to start on February 05, the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) is all ready to host crowds in the second Test starting on February 13.

"There is little time to make arrangements for spectators entry for the first Test so the crowd cannot be allowed. Though the gap between the two Tests is only three days, we are confident that arrangements can be made for (50 per cent) fans in the second Test keeping the safety norms in mind," news agency PTI quoted an unnamed TNCA official as saying.

However, the number of people allowed to the stadium at Chepauk will be restricted to half of the seating capacity of the stadium which is 50,000.

"We discussed the issue of allowing spectators for second India vs England Test following fresh COVID-19 guidelines by the Central government permitting crowds at sporting venues and also the state government's SOPs given on Sunday," the official added.

"It has been decided by the BCCI and TNCA to allow 50 per cent spectators for the second Test by following all safety protocols."

Meanwhile, there are reports about the discussion between the BCCI and the Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) over allowing spectators to the third and fourth Test at the Sardar Patel Stadium in Motera. The stadium in Motera has the seating capacity of 1,10,000 and allowing spectators up to 50 per cent of the capacity will be double the number of people reported to be allowed in Chennai and hence the permission to host a crowd in the second Test can also be seen as the precursor to the third and fourth Test.

Powered by Froala Editor