Kolkata: As India prepped for their forthcoming three-match T20I series against the West Indies, which begins on February 16, BCCI president Sourav Ganguly declared that no spectators will be permitted at Eden Gardens for at least two matches of the series.
“For the first two matches at Eden Gardens, no fans will be allowed. As far as the third T20I is concerned on February 20, I can’t confirm any possibility of fans returning at the Eden Gardens but let’s see,” stated BCCI president told reporters on Tuesday evening.
However, the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) had requested the BCCI to allow spectators for the second and third T20Is.
Earlier, Dalmiya hoped to conduct the matches with spectators after the state government allowed 75 percent capacity. But Ganguly has restricted forbidden the entry of spectators keeping in mind the safety of the players.
The BCCI president, on the other hand, has expressed optimism about spectator admittance during the India-Sri Lanka series, which is set to begin in March. “For the Sri Lanka series, which is in March, fans will be allowed in the stadiums because we can’t deprive the supporters of live cricket action for so long,” Ganguly added.
Last time, Eden Gardens hosted a massive crowd when the Men in Blue defeated New Zealand in the third T20I match on November 22, 2021, and whitewashed the Kiwis to clinch the series.
India vs West Indies T20 Schedule
| 1 | Wednesday | 16th February | 1st T20I | Kolkata |
| 2 | Friday | 18th February | 2nd T20I | Kolkata |
| 3 | Sunday | 20th February | 3rd T20I | Kolkata |
IND vs WI T20 Squad
India Squad: Rohit Sharma (Captain), KL Rahul (Vice-captain), Ishan Kishan, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Surya Kumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Venkatesh Iyer, Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Ravi Bishnoi, Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Washington Sundar, Mohd. Siraj, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Avesh Khan, Harshal Patel.
West Indies Squad : Kieron Pollard (captain), Nicholas Pooran (vice-captain), Fabian Allen, Darren Bravo, Roston Chase, Sheldon Cottrell, Dominic Drakes, Jason Holder, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Brandon King, Rovman Powell, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith, Kyle Mayers, Hayden Walsh Jr.
India are heading into the series on the back of a 3-0 sweep of the ODI series.
