BCCI has decided to allow 20,000 spectators, mostly ticket-holding members of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), to watch the third and final T20I between India and the West Indies on February 20.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will allow approximately 20,000 odd spectators to watch the live-action between India and West Indies in the final T20I. To add to this, the BCCI has made sure that the tickets for the match won’t be given to the general public, but to the office-bearers and affiliates members of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB).
BCCI President Sourav Ganguly Writes E-Mail To Avishek Dalmiya To Allow 20,000 Spectators, Complimentary Ticket Holders To Watch 3rd T20I
In regards to the same, the Indian cricket board President Sourav Ganguly has written an email to CAB chief Avishek Dalmia. It is worth noting that earlier, the BCCI completely banned the entry of the fans and scheduled all the T20I matches behind closed doors. However, on special requests made by CAB officials, the doors have been kept open for the complimentary ticket holders.
“As discussed with other office bearers, as per your request, you can open up for the last T20 match against West Indies at Eden,” BCCI president Sourav Ganguly wrote in an e-mail to CAB chief Avishek Dalmiya.
With this, only the complimentary tickets will be issued by CAB to its members and affiliated units.
“We are extremely thankful to the BCCI for their kind consideration. This consent of the Board would help CAB meet its obligations to Life Associate, Annual and honorary members for the 20th February match,” Dalmiya said.
The BCCI President Sourav Ganguly had earlier in an interview, said that the board won’t allow spectators as they don’t want any health risk for the players.
Avishek Dalmiya Had Requested BCCI To Allow Entry Of Fans
Avishek Dalmiya had then requested the Board to allow entry of fans. 70 per cent of spectators were allowed to attend the India-New Zealand T20I in November last year. For the first two T20Is on Wednesday and Friday, around 2000 plus fans have been allowed in the corporate boxes and the upper tier of Dr BC Roy Club House.
The match passes for the first two games are exclusively for sponsors’ representatives. The preceding three-match ODI series in Ahmedabad was played in an open stadium. India’s next series against Sri Lanka beginning in Lucknow with the first T20I on February 24 will be held in an open stadium as of now. But it remains to be seen if BCCI allows spectators after it opens up the gates at Eden Gardens for the third T20I against the Windies.
A little above 2000 people were seen in the corporate boxes and the upper tier of Dr BC Roy Club House during the 1st T20I. Team India hammered West Indies in the opening T20I match, last night, by six wickets.
Keeping its winning run going, India registered an encouraging win in the iconic cricket ground, Eden Gardens. The second T20I will commence on 18th February while the final T20I is slated to begin on 20th February in Kolkata’s Eden Gardens.