Due to COVID-19 scare, the India vs West Indies ODI and T20 series is being played minus fans. They could return in the IND vs SL series.
There is some good news for Indian cricket fans. The Board of Control for Cricket in India is likely to open the doors to general paid ticket holders during the upcoming India vs Sri Lanka series starting February 24 with a three-match T20 international series. (More Cricket News)
According to BCCI president Sourav Ganguly, there are plans to allow fans during the series against the Lankans.
"We can't deprive the supporters of live cricket action for so long," the former Indian captain said in Kolkata on Tuesday evening. Ganguly did not elaborate further.
The ongoing India versus West Indies series is being played minus fans. The ODI series in Ahmedabad was played inside empty stadiums. The T20 series starting at Kolkata's Eden Gardens on Wednesday, will have no spectators inside the stadium.
Ganguly said that there is a possibility that fans may be allowed in the third T20 on February 20. Relaxing restrictions on COVID-19, the West Bengal government has lifted the ban on spectators attending matches inside a stadium.
Meanwhile, the BCCI announced a revised schedule for India’s upcoming series against Sri Lanka. Instead of Tests, the series will start with T20 matches.
The scheduling and venues have also undergone changes. The first T20 will be played in Lucknow, which was originally scheduled to host the third and final T20.
Dharamshala will host the second and third T20s while Mohali, earlier also slotted for T20, will host just one Test match. Bengaluru will be hosting the second and final Test match, a day-night affair.
1st T20I: 24th February (Lucknow)
2nd T20I: 26th February (Dharamshala)
3rd T20I: 27th February (Dharamshala)
1st Test: 4th-8th March (Mohali)
2nd Test (D/N): 12th-16th March (Bengaluru)
It is worth noting that the pink-ball Test that India will be playing against Sri Lanka in Bengaluru will be their fourth. India played their first pink-ball Test at home more than two years ago in Kolkata. India smashed Bangladesh by an innings-and-46-run in November 2019.
India then played their second pink-ball game during the tour of Australia in 2020-21. India, famously all out for 36 in their second innings, suffered an eight-wicket defeat at Adelaide Oval in December 2020. Meanwhile, in their most recent pink-ball Test in February 2021, India defeated England by 10 wickets in Ahmedabad.