The BCCI has already considered the possibility of allowing some crowd to watch the second test between India and England.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India has already made a decision with the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association for the allowing of crowds to watch India's next match. There, it has been decided that 50 per cent of the stadium’s capacity can be allowed to watch the second Test match between India and England.
The issue was discussed by the two cricket boards after the country eased on their policies about public movement. With that, it has been cleared by both BCCI and TNCA officials that these policies involve allowing spectators into sports venues.
As per a TNCA official, ‘We discussed the issue of allowing spectators for the second India vs England Test following fresh COVID-19 guidelines by the Central government permitting crowds at sporting venues and also the state government's SOPs given on Sunday. It has been decided by the BCCI and TNCA to allow 50 per cent spectators for the second Test by following all safety protocols’.
‘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 per cent) fans in second Test keeping the safety norms in mind’, the official added.
The M. A. Chidambaram stadium has a capacity of 50,000. As crowds had been allowed, only a maximum of 25,000 people would be allowed to enter the stadium. This includes the people in the press box who are assigned to cover the event.
Originally, the first and second Test matches were supposed to be held behind closed doors. The crowds were originally allowed on the third and fourth Test match which are to be played in Ahmedabad.
The four-Test match series will start on February 5. So far, the odds of the game are -454.55 for India and +302 for England. To learn more about the odds of other upcoming matches, head over to Betwala.
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