India vs West Indies: From February 16, the Eden Gardens will be able to accommodate up to 75% of its capacity for the three-match T20I series between India and the West Indies. According to the West Bengal government, the site can accommodate 75 per cent of the capacity for all indoor and outdoor sporting events.
“All indoor and outdoor sports activities will be allowed with 75 per cent of the capacity of the venue,” the West Bengal government said on Monday.
The T20I matches are expected to draw roughly 50,000 spectators, with a full-strength Indian team managed by Rohit Sharma facing a Kieron Pollard-led West Indies team, who will play three ODIs in Ahmedabad beginning February 6 before flying to Kolkata.
Meanwhile, Avishek Dalmiya, president of the Cricket Association of Bengal, hailed the West Bengal government for enabling supporters to attend the T20I series. Last year, Kolkata hosted the third T20I of New Zealand’s tour of India, with Eden Gardens packed to the rafters.
“We are thankful for the honourable Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, chief secretary and Government of West Bengal for announcing the resumption of sporting activities as well as for allowing 75 per cent of the capacity of spectators back to the stadium,” Avishek said in a statement.
“After the New Zealand T20I last year, this time too, CAB is confident that it will be able to successfully host the three T20Is against the West Indies in a similar manner.”
Additionally, the Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) confirmed on Tuesday, February 1, that India vs West Indies ODI series will take place behind closed doors.
The West Indies men’s team is set to tour India for a six-match white-ball series comprising three ODIs and as many T20Is. The team will arrive in India on February 2 while the series will kickstart with the ODI games that will take place on February 6, 9, and 11 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. It will then be followed by the T20I matches that will take place on February 16, 18, and 20 at the Eden Gardens Stadium in Kolkata.
West Indies were scheduled to play three ODIs in Ahmedabad, Jaipur, and Kolkata, as well as three T20Is in Cuttack, Visakhapatnam, and Thiruvananthapuram, according to the original itinerary. The BCCI, however, has chosen to host the white-ball series in only two cities: Ahmedabad and Kolkata, due to an increase in Covid-19 instances throughout the nation in the previous month.
Rohit Sharma and Co. arrived in Ahmedabad on Monday evening while the Carribeans will reach India on February 2.
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