The remaining two T20Is of India and England in Ahmedabad will be played behind closed doors “because of the increasing number of Corona cases”.
The BCCI and the Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) settled on the choice on Monday after the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation requested the conclusion of shops, shopping centers, eateries, and salons after 10 pm in eight wards of the city to control the spread of Covid-19.
India vs England T20I will play behind closed doors
The GCA will refund the spectators who had bought tickets for the games. Alongside the T20Is, the three ODIs planned for March 23, 26, and 28 in Pune will likewise be played behind closed doors according to the guidelines of the Maharashtra government.
“Due to rising in the number of Corona cases, we at GCA have decided in consultation with BCCI, the matches will be played (behind) closed doors and not allow the spectators in the ground during T20 internationals to be played between India and England at Ahmedabad,” GCA vice-president Dhanraj Nathwani said in a press release.
“We will form the policy for the refund of money to the spectators, who have already purchased the tickets for these three T20s. Those who have received complimentary tickets are requested not to visit the stadium.”
The BCCI secretary Jay Shah said in a media release: “The decision was arrived at following detailed discussions with the state and local health authorities. The BCCI will continue to comply with all the regulations put in place to curb the spread of the Covid-19 virus and will always put the health and safety of its fans and stakeholders at the top.”
The ground has a capacity of close to 130,000 and the GCA allowed 50% crowd in the first two games. Where first two games saw crowds of 67,200 and 66,352 respectively.
“Aside from meaning there will be considerably less noise in the stadium it doesn’t materially affect us as we remain in our bubble and even when crowds were in attendance we never came into contact with any of them, and the ball was sanitized whenever it was hit into the stands,” an ECB spokesperson said.
The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad will also be hosting eight league games of the IPL from April 26 to May 8 in addition to the four playoff matches from May 25 to 30.
The IPL will be played behind closed doors “to begin with”, the BCCI had said while announcing the schedule.
Also read: IPL 2021 – Full schedule, Squad Details (Updated)
