Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli’s deputy is excited for the second Test against England which will be played in front of the fans at the MA Chidambaram Stadium from Saturday.
Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane is delighted with the crowd’s return in the second Test as India prepares to emerge from behind closed doors for the first time in over a year in an international match. The Indian team will be aided by the home crowd as they aim to bounce back against England in the second Test.
TNCA Announced Protocols For Allowing 15000 Fans Excluding Fans Showing Covid-19 Symptoms
The Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) had announced the protocols for allowing the entry of 15,000 fans for the match, which included not allowing anyone who shows symptoms of Covid-19. The game will mark the return of spectators for an international match in India after the Covid-19 outbreak forced a complete shutdown of sporting activity in March last year. The first Test was played in Chennai without spectators.
The last time crowds were seen in a stadium in the country was 12 months ago, when the Coronavirus pandemic halted all sporting activities not only in India but across the world.
Three stands namely I, J and K are to be thrown open to spectators for an international match for the first time since 2012 from February 13.
The three stands were sealed after the 2011 World Cup owing to various issues, depriving the city of the opportunity to host matches at various events, including the World T20 in 2016 and the IPL final in 2019. An exception was made when the stands were opened for an ODI between India and Pakistan in 2012.
Ajinkya Rahane: Excited To Have Fans Back In 2nd Test Which Means A Lot
Tickets for India and England’s 2nd Test at Chennai which were made available from February 8 were all sold out in less than an hour.
“We are all really excited to have fans back. It means a lot to us,” Ajinkya Rahane said while speaking in the press conference ahead of 2nd Test vs England.
Items such as binoculars, speakers, and musical instrument have been prohibited for the second Test, as well as bags, brief-cases, radios, laser pointers, digital diaries, laptops, computers, tape recorders, recording devices, binoculars, remote-controlled devices, inflammable material, musical instruments, speakers, professional/video cameras among others.
The media, which was barred entry for the series opener, will also be allowed to cover the second fixture. BCCI gave the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) a nod to allow 50% of the stadium capacity during the second Test. It means that cricketers can look forward to all the enthusiasm and cheering from fans in the second game.