Owing to the rising number of Covid-19 cases in Maharashtra, it has been decided that the three-match ODI series between India and England will be played behind closed doors in Pune. The ODI series has received a green chit from the Maharashtra state government. The matches will be played on 23, 26 and 28th of March.
The call to play the matches without the spectators was taken after a meeting of the Maharashtra Cricket Association President Vikas Kakatkar with the Mumbai Cricket Association’s Governing Council chairman Milind Narvekar, Maharashtra’s Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, and the Tourism and Environment Minister Aditya Thackeray.
Maharashtra has recorded more than 8500 Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours whereas more than 3500 people have recovered from the virus. 51 people have lost their lives in the last one day due to coronavirus.
“Keeping the seriousness of the current spike in Covid cases in Maharashtra, after inputs from the Honourable Chief Minister, it was decided that permission will be granted for these matches without spectators,” the Maharashtra Cricket Association stated in a release on Saturday (February 27).
“The Chief Minister requested the president of the Maharashtra Cricket Association to take all necessary precautions regarding players and other officials. With these, the uncertainty of holding the three One-Day Internationals has ended and the association can start preparatory works like obtaining various. permissions for smooth conduction of the matches.”
Meanwhile, the first Test match was played behind closed doors at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. Subsequently, 50% of the crowd was allowed for the second Test match at Chepauk. The fans’ strength was once again 50% for the third Test match. In fact, all the matches in Ahmedabad will be hosted with a 50% capacity crowd.
After the completion of the ongoing four-match Test series, the five-match T20I series will be played in Ahmedabad, starting from March 12.
India currently leads the four-match series by 2-1 and they need to either win or draw the final Test match to qualify for the final of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship. The fourth Test match will take place at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad from March 4.
