Ind vs Eng: BCCI and TNCA Allow 50% Spectators For 2nd Test

Ind vs Eng: BCCI and Tamil Nadu Cricket Association(TNCA) allow 50% crowd attendance for 2nd Test in Chennai

The second test Ind vs Eng at MA Chidambaram stadium to be played from February 13-17 is all set to see fans being allowed to enter the stadium and occupy 50% of the seating capacity. The Tamil Nadu Cricket Association(TNCA) was given the go-ahead from BCCI on Monday.

The opening Test will still be played behind closed doors, but the Indian and England players can look forward to fans cheering for them at the stadium from the second test onwards.

The first two Tests of the four-match series between India and England will be played in Chennai, and then the action for the last two Tests will move to Ahmedabad.

The latest guidelines from the home ministry on easing restrictions on public movement might give them a chance to allow spectators in the stadium.

A senior TNCA official said it will not be possible to permit the crowd in the first Test due to short notice but they will try to get it for the second match.

There is little time to make arrangements for spectators entry for the first Test so the crowd cannot be allowed.

Though the gap between the two Tests is only three days, we are confident that arrangements can be made for (50%) fans in the second Test keeping the safety norms in mind,” the official added.

• Read this: England’s Squad Announced for First Two Tests In India

All members of the India and England Test squads have returned negative Covid-19 tests and have been cleared to exit their bio-secure bubbles for training in the lead up to the first Test, which starts February 5.

The two teams had been in mandatory six-day quarantines after arriving in Chennai. While England will train, as per schedule, from Tuesday afternoon.

The M. A. Chidambaram Stadium has a massive capacity of around 50,000.