New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will reportedly allow 50 percent of the spectators in the stands in the last two games of the four-match Test series between India and England slated to be played from February 24 to 28 at the Ahmedabad’s newly constructed Sardar Patel Stadium which is also known as Motera Stadium.
This is the first international cricket series being played in India post COVID-19. The MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai will host the first two games from February 5 behind closed doors. The 2nd Test starts on February 13.
“As the seating capacity is more than a lakh, the GCA can easily accommodate 50 percent crowds for the third and fourth Tests. The Government has allowed sports stadiums to run with 50 per cent capacity so it has been decided to allow fans for the matches in Ahmedabad. The media will also be able to cover the game from the stadium,” a BCCI source was quoted as saying to Indian Express.
The Motera stadium now has the capacity to host a whopping 1,10,000 people at the venue though it doesn’t look like the 100 per cent capacity can be filled for the upcoming Test series considering the Covid-19 pandemic. As per a report in IE, the BCCI has extended invitations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Ram Nath Kovind and Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who is the Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) president, is also likely to be present at the stadium.
