The GCA has opted to organise the remaining three T20 games between India and England at Narendra Modi stadium without a crowd.
The Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) has affirmed to conduct the remaining three T20 matches between India and England the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad without an audience due to a sudden increase in COVID-19 cases in the district.
The cricket board, in coordination with the Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA), has made the announcement, and a letter has been submitted to the England team in this regard. The five-match T20I series is currently tied 1-1, with the final three games scheduled for Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
The BCCI announced the decision on Monday night after Gujarat Cricket Association vice-president Dhanraj Nathwani said it was made due to an increase in COVID-19 incidents.
“Due to an escalation in Corona cases, the GCA has agreed, in consultation with the BCCI, to play the matches behind closed doors. During the T20 Internationals between India and England in Ahmedabad, spectators are not permitted in the stadium.”
With the three ODIs in Pune that accompany the T20I series still being played in front of vacant stands, the rest of England’s tour of India will be played without crowds. It also casts doubt on fan participation for the forthcoming Indian Premier League (IPL), which kicks off on April 9.
With the three ODIs in Pune that accompany the T20I series still being played in front of vacant stands, the rest of England’s tour of India will be played without crowds. It also casts doubt on fan participation for the forthcoming Indian Premier League (IPL), which kicks off on April 9.
“The BCCI will continue to comply with all guidelines put in place to prevent the transmission of the Covid-19 virus and will still prioritize the health and welfare of its fans and stakeholders,” BCCI secretary Jay Shah said.
“Aside from the fact that there would be significantly less noise in the stadium, it has no material effect on us because we remain in our bubble, and even though spectators were around, we never came into contact with any of them, and the ball was sanitized once it was stuck into the stands,” the ECB said.
The first two games at the world’s largest cricket stadium drew more than 60,000 people, prompting fears about the fans’ safety in the wake of the pandemic.
According to the Union Health Ministry, 25,320 new COVID-19 cases and 16,637 recoveries were registered in India in the last 24 hours. The cumulative number of cases in the country now stands at 1,13,59,048, with 2,10,544 active cases and 1,09,89,897 recoveries. The death toll now stands at 1,58,607, with 161 deaths in the last 24 hours.
