India vs England: ODI Series in Pune to be played without spectators, Report.
India vs England ODI Series: The three games One Day Internationals series between India and England will be played behind the closed gates in Pune after the surge in covid cases in the state, Maharashtra Cricket Association said on Saturday.
Right now, India and England are preparing for the last of the four games test series, followed by the five-game T20I series. The three games ODI series will begin on 23rd March and all the games will be played in MCA Stadium in Gahunje.
While the Maharashtra government gave green signals to the games, but also said that all the games will be conducted without spectators. There were chances that the three games ODI series could be shifted to somewhere else after sudden spikes in covid cases after the second wave has hit the country. However, Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackrey met Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) president Vikas Kakatkar, and permission for the games was given.
“Keeping the seriousness of the current spike in COVID cases in Maharashtra, after inputs from the Hon’ble Chief Minister, it was decided that permission will be granted for these matches without spectators,” the Maharashtra Cricket Association said in a media release.
CM advised the authorities to take all the necessary precautions and safety standards must not be compromised with regards to players and officials.
“The chief minister requested the President of Maharashtra Cricket Association to take all necessary precautions regarding players and other officials.
The association also thanked ICC, BCCI and MCA president Sharad Pawar for helping and their guidelines.
“After the permission for holding the three games ODI games have achieved, now the association can start the preparations for the series and no stone will be left unturned in the safety standards.”
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