India vs England: First two test to be played behind closed doors in Chennai.
India vs England test series: Team India is all set to begin their international run once again with England. This is the first time India will be hosting a team for the international games in India since the covid-19 pandemic. BCCI and ECB both have announced the respective squads for the first two test games.
As per the reports, all the players will undergo three rounds of covid-19 testing before heading to the final match on 5th February in Chennai. The team hotel will be blocked for the outsiders and strict protocols will be implemented.
After a long gap of more than a year and a half, India will host a team for the test series. The last home test was played back in November 2019 and since then the action has been halted due to the harsh situations.
Tamil Nadu Cricket Associations secretory RS Ramasaamy confirmed that first two games of the India-England series will be held in Chepauk Stadium, Chennai and behind the closed doors.
No crowd for the Chennai Test
“We have been strictly informed by the BCCI that fans will not be allowed inside the stadium. Not even the press will be granted permission in any case. That’s how the situation demands right now. We don’t know what BCCI will decide in future but right now there will be no cheering from the ground,”Ramasaamy told The Indian Express.
The Board is not interested in increasing the hosting few, which is 2.5 crores per match and without fans, the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association will miss out on gate receipts, roughly around 1 Crore.
The first two test games will be held in Chennai before heading to Ahmedabad for the last two test games. The series will begin on 5th February. Both the teams are scheduled to reach Chennai on 27th January and they will follow the strict rules.
“Both the sides will be staying in Leela Palace and the whole Hotel is blocked. There will be no outsider apart from cricketers and their management and staff. All the members of the teams, as well as the hotel staff, will follow the protocols. Upon arrival, both the teams will undergo a round of covid test while the other two rounds will be conducted before the match. This will be applicable to everyone who is involved in the test including some of the ground staffs,” TNCA secretary said.
The preparations have already begun and five pitches will be prepaiired for the test match. Few days back, the gound hosted plate games of Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the pitch responded well.
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