Follow UsThe first Test between India and Sri Lanka at Mohali will allow 50 per cent of crowd at the PCA stadium, BCCI secretary Jay Shah confirmed. The match beginning on March 4 will mark the former captain Virat Kohli's 100th Test.
"The first Test between India and Sri Lanka to be played at the Punjab Cricket Stadium in Mohali will not be held behind closed doors. The decision to allow spectators into the ground is one taken by the State Cricketing Associations and in the present circumstances, is based on various factors. I have spoken with the PCA office bearers and they have confirmed that cricket fans will be able to witness the historic moment of Virat Kohli playing his 100th Test match," Shah said in a statement.
Due to the COVID-19 restrictions in the country due to the increased cases of Omnicron variant, the BCCI had to confine the ODI and T20I series against West Indies to Ahmedabad and Kolkata respectively. The Sri Lanka series was also rescheduled and kept down to four venues. Lucknow hosted the first T20I, while Dharmasala was the venue for the second and third T20Is.
"While we started off the West Indies Tour of India behind closed doors, the encouraging dip in COVID-19 cases allowed the hosting associations to permit crowds," the statement added.
"Based on the advisories by the State Health Authorities fans were able to witness the games in Kolkata and Dharamsala while UPCA had Lucknow T20I without crowds owing to polling a day before the match."
Bengaluru, which was initially set to host Kohli's landmark game, will now host the Day-Night Test from March 12-16.
"I am really looking forward to Virat Kohli's 100th Test and wish our champion cricketer the very best. This is an occasion for our fans to savour. May he continue to represent the country in many more matches to come," Shah's statement said.