IND vs ENG : Chennai Tests to be played behind closed doors, confirms TNCA

The Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) have confirmed that the first two Tests between India and England at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai will be played without any crowd, keeping the safety of the players in mind. There were contrasting reports regarding fans returning to cricket venues around the country, especially after the Indian […]
 
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IND vs ENG : Chennai Tests to be played behind closed doors, confirms TNCA

The Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) have confirmed that the first two Tests between India and England at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai will be played without any crowd, keeping the safety of the players in mind.

There were contrasting reports regarding fans returning to cricket venues around the country, especially after the Indian government allowed boards to allow fans in 50% capacity. That gave rise to the hope that the India-England series will see fans returning to the ground but there were some reports that England and Wales Cricket Board are not happy about the move.

Ending all speculations, it has now been decided that fans will not be allowed into the venue for the upcoming Test series.

“In the view of the prevailing Covid pandemic, BCCI has decided not to take any kind of risk with the safety of the players during the forthcoming India-England Test series.

“The players and match officials will undergo strict quarantine and several rounds of novel Coronavirus tests before entering the bio-bubble,” TNCA Secretary RS Ramaswamy said in a circular released on their handle.

IND vs ENG : Chennai Tests to be played behind closed doors, confirms TNCA

“As per the BCCI directive, the first two matches between 5th and 17th February 2021 being held at the MA Chidambaram Stadium will take place behind closed doors as a preventive measure,” it said.

Teams to gather in Chennai in two phases

The selected Indian players who didn’t partake in the Australia series and corresponding English players who are not a part of the Sri Lanka series currently will reach Chennai on January 23 while the rest of the players will be joining the bubble on January 27. Both the group will undergo a quarantine in the bio-bubble created in Chennai before practicing in a group from February 2.