The West Bengal government has allowed 75% of spectators to enter the stadium for the three-match T20I series between India and West Indies, which is going to start in Kolkata on February 16. There are 3 ODIs and 3 T20I matches in this series. Where the ODI series will be held from February 06 in Ahmedabad without spectators. The Gujarat Cricket Association announced that in a tweet on Tuesday.
According to a notification issued by the West Bengal state government on Monday admitting 75% of the visitors, the Eden Gardens is expected to be crowded with about 50,000 people. Earlier, last November, the Eden authorities hosted the 3rd T20I match against New Zealand, allowing 70% of the spectators to enter the stadium.
According to the earlier schedule, the three ODIs of the series were to be played in Ahmedabad, Jaipur, and Kolkata respectively and the T20I matches were to be played in Cuttack, Visakhapatnam, and Thiruvananthapuram respectively. But with the increase in Covid-19 infections across the country last month, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to host the series in only two venues (Ahmedabad and Kolkata).
In a statement, Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) President Avishek Dalmiya thanked the Hon’ble Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee and the Chief Secretary for resuming sports activities and allowing the stadium to hold 75% spectators.
However, the West Bengal government decided to allow spectators to enter the field for the matches, but the Ahmedabad government did not take such a decision. Considering the current situation, their state cricket association has said that the ODI matches to be played on February 6, 9, and 11 will be played in a field without spectators.
The CAB, on the other hand, is looking forward to resuming local cricket tournaments soon following the Covid-19 protocol. They have also taken steps to vaccinate all players over the age of 15 who will participate in the CAB League.