The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will reportedly allow spectator’s entry in the third Test of the four-match series between India and England at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Stadium in Ahmedabad on February 24.
If the board’s decision goes as per their plan, it will be for the first time that crowd will be allowed inside a stadium in India for an international game since the COVID-19 pandemic struck.
A BCCI source speaking to Indian Express has revealed the board’s grand plans for the pink-ball Test between India and England.
“As the seating capacity is more than a lakh, the GCA can easily accommodate 50 per cent crowds for the third and fourth Tests. The Government has allowed sports stadiums to run with 50 per cent capacity so it has been decided to allow fans for the matches in Ahmedabad. The media will also be able to cover the game from the stadium,” the source was quoted as saying by the Indian Express.
Significantly, the third Test between India and England Test will be the first international fixture played at the new stadium, which has a capacity of 1,10,000 making it the largest cricket stadium in the world.
Also, it has been learnt that several high-profile dignitaries have been invited for the Day-Night Test.
The report further said that the board has already extended invitations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP president J P Nadda and Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who is also the chief of the Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) president, is likely to be attendance as well.