MUMBAI: Conflicting reports have emerged on whether crowd attendance will be allowed at the Chepauk and the newly constructed Motera Stadium during England’s upcoming four of India which involves four Test matches against England.
The first two Tests will be held at the Chepauk in Chennai, beginning on February 5, while the next two will be played at the renovated stadium at the Motera near Ahmedabad.
While PTI reports that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) top brass is seriously contemplating allowing 50% crowds at both Chepauk and Motera, according to Telegraph India spectators are unlikely to be allowed inside the Chepauk, though there is a possibility of allowing 25% crowd inside the Motera.
“As of now, we are likely to allow 50% spectators for the four Test matches. The BCCI is in talks with both state cricket associations (TNCA and GCA) and also state health authorities,” a senior BCCI source told PTI on condition of anonymity.
However, the BCCI is also factoring the fluid public health situation due to the COVID-19 pandemic and if case load in either Chennai or Ahmedabad increases, then the decision will change accordingly. “If you allow 50% crowd with all necessary precautions, then it will be an indicator if we can also allow spectators during IPL in India,” the source told the newswire.
The report filed by Telegraph India appears more credible though. “We have been clearly told by the state administration that crowds will not be allowed inside the stadium. We can’t risk the lives of common people. At the same time it also has to be kept in mind that any untoward incident may put the entire series on the line,” a senior functionary of Tamil Nadu Cricket Association told The Telegraph.
A BCCI source also revealed to the daily that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has made it clear that they wouldn’t be comfortable playing with crowds inside the stadium.
“The ECB is wary particularly after they were forced to abandon the South Africa tour midway once members of the touring party tested Covid positive,” the source said.
However, there is a possibility of allowing 25% crowd inside the stadium in Ahmedabad though no decision has yet been taken. ECB’s consent will also have to be taken.
In Ahmedabad, which can hold over 100,000 spectators, spacing of seats to maintain social distancing will not be an issue. There is also the added fact that Ahmedabad is home to BCCI secretary Jay Shah, son of the second most powerful politician in the country, Union home minister Amit Shah.
The last time when fans in India were allowed to witness an international cricket match from stadium was in January 2020 when India played an ODI series against Australia.
If ultimately a limited number of fans are allowed into the Motera, India will be the first major cricketing nation after Australia to allow fans in the stadium.
