IND vs ENG | Pune ODI leg to be played behind closed doors

With a rise in Covid-19 cases in the entire state of Maharashtra and Pune in particular, the three-match one-day international series between India and England in Pune will be played behind closed doors. The second Test between India and England saw crowds returning to sporting events in India, with Ahmedabad seeing over 50,000 spectators for […]
 
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IND vs ENG | Pune ODI leg to be played behind closed doors

With a rise in Covid-19 cases in the entire state of Maharashtra and Pune in particular, the three-match one-day international series between India and England in Pune will be played behind closed doors.

The second Test between India and England saw crowds returning to sporting events in India, with Ahmedabad seeing over 50,000 spectators for the third Test. The same is expected for the fourth Test and the five-match T20Is as well, but the ODIs won’t have the same privilege.

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Following a meeting of the Maharashtra Cricket Association President Vikas Kakatkar with the Mumbai Cricket Association’s Governing Council chairman Milind Narvekar, Maharashtra’s Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, and the Tourism and Environment Minister Aditya Thackeray, it has been decided that the matches in Pune will go behind closed doors.

“Keeping the seriousness of the current spike in Covid cases in Maharashtra, after inputs from the Honourable Chief Minister, it was decided that permission will be granted for these matches without spectators,” the Maharashtra Cricket Association stated in a release on Saturday (February 27).

IND vs ENG | Pune ODI leg to be played behind closed doors

“The Chief Minister requested the president of the Maharashtra Cricket Association to take all necessary precautions regarding players and other officials. With these, the uncertainty of holding the three One-Day Internationals has ended and the association can start preparatory works like obtaining various permissions for smooth conduction of the matches.”

Players and officials to stay in Pune bio-bubble

After the conclusion of the T20Is, the players will directly take a chartered flight to Pune for the three-match ODI series. There will be a bio-bubble created for all the players and match officials, with the games set to be played on March 23, 26 and 28.