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BCCI won’t be allowing any spectators for the upcoming first Test between India and Sri Lanka starting March 4, which is incidentally legendary Virat Kohli’s landmark 100th Test, a Punjab Cricket Association official stated.

The 2nd India and Sri Lanka Test, a day-nighter in Bengaluru, will have crowd attendance at 50% capacity, but the first Test, in Mohali, which is also likely to be Virat Kohli‘s 100th, will have to be played behind closed doors from March 4 to 8 because of Covid-19 restrictions.

BCCI Won’t Allow Any Spectators For Virat Kohli’s 100th Test At Mohali For Covid-19

A Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) office-bearer confirmed that spectators would, indeed, be allowed for the five days of the Bengaluru Test, from March 12 to 16. As for Mohali, a report said that BCCI “won’t be allowing any spectators”. KSCA has begun the sale of tickets for the Bengaluru Test.

The explanation for the decision to disallow spectators from attending the Mohali Test is twofold. Firstly, the high Covid-19 cases in and around Mohali, and secondly, because most of the Indian players are scheduled to link up with their respective IPL squads just after the end of the second Test, in a bubble-to bubble transfer.

“Yes, apart from the people, who are on duty for the Test match, we are not allowing any general spectators as per the directive of BCCI,” Punjab Cricket Association treasurer RP Singla was quoted as saying.

“Still there are fresh Covid cases emerging in and around Mohali, so it’s better we take all safety protocols. Obviously, the fans miss out because an international match at Mohali is happening after almost three years.”

However, PCA(Punjab Cricket Association) is putting up billboards across the stadium to celebrate the momentous occasion in Virat Kohli’s glittering cricket career.

BCCI Allows 50% Crowd For 2nd Bengaluru Test

Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) secretary Santosh Menon has confirmed that the second Test between India and Sri Lanka, a Day-Night Pink Ball Test, in Bengaluru will have a 50 per cent crowd.

The KSCA secretary, Santosh Menon, said that the association had requested the government to allow fans, and BCCI has received permission for a 50 per cent crowd as of now looking at the Covid-19 situation. Santosh Menon expressed his happiness after getting the permission and said that he will make all necessary arrangements as per the government direction and protocols for Covid.

BCCI Won't Allow Spectators For Virat Kohli's 100th Test At Mohali For Covid-19 While 2nd Bengaluru Test Will Witness 50% Crowd Attendance 1 — (Photo by Dibyangshu SARKAR / AFP)

The tickets for the second Test will be available from March 1 on the KSCA website and at the box office from March 6. Tickets for the match will range from Rs 100 to Rs 2,500. The match will be played from 2 PM to 9 PM with the KSCA also mulling inviting school students for the match.

India hosted their first-ever day-night Test match in 2019 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata against Bangladesh while Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad hosted the second pink-ball affair against England last year.

India won both Tests inside three days. Incidentally, Virat Kohli’s last international ton came in India’s first-ever Day-Night Test against Bangladesh in 2019.