Booths I, J and K are likely to be open to the public, up to 50% capacity
The second India-England event in Chennai will not be played behind closed doors as BCCI has given informal permission to the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) to open its doors to spectators, up to 50% capacity. Stands I, J and K of the MA Chidambaram Stadium will likely be opened to the public, pending authorization from the Tamil Nadu government, for the second test from February 13. Ticket details and crowd standard operating procedures will be released when formal approval arrives. .
It is understood that TNCA had approached the BCCI to allow the fans to increase 50% of the floor capacity during the second test. It is also likely that media personnel will be able to enter the stadium, albeit from the very first Test itself, if the BCCI formally approves these measures. No spectators or media personnel were allowed at the seven venues where India’s only national tournament so far this season, the recent Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy, has been held.
If spectators are allowed, it would mean a turnaround for both BCCI and TNCA, who had recently informed their members that the MA Chidambaram stadium would not allow crowds for the two events. Although the Indian government has ruled that 50% of spectator capacity can be allowed for outdoor sports, it was said that the decision was made to “not take any risks with the safety of the players.”
“For outdoor events, spectators will be allowed up to a maximum of 50% of the total capacity of the stadium,” the Indian Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports had said on December 26 in a note, which was part of the “Standard Operating Procedures and Guidelines for Conducting Sports Competitions in India in the Covid-19 Environment”.
After 6 days of quarantine, India takes a first look at Chepauk before the first test against England.
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Nothing official has yet been released on the matter. “We are not going to comment on speculation. We are still waiting to hear from BCCI in terms of their protocols for the next series of tests,” said a representative from the England tour.
Meanwhile, all members of the India and England test squads have tested negative for Covid-19 and have been cleared to come out of their biosecurity bubbles for training in the lead up to the first test, which begins on the 5th. February. The two teams had been in mandatory quarantines for six days after arriving in Chennai. While England will train, as scheduled, starting Tuesday afternoon,
India will begin its preparations on Monday night. A statement from the team on Monday confirmed: “The Indian cricket team completed its quarantine period today in Chennai. Three RT-PCR tests for Covid-19 were performed at regular intervals and all tests were negative. The team will have its own. first outdoor session today starting at 5:00 pm and networking sessions will begin tomorrow. “
Varun Shetty is deputy editor of ESPNcricinfo
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