Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president Avishek Dalmiya stated that the board hasn’t received any information from BCCI regarding crowd capacity for the T20I series between India and West Indies.
Notable that the T20I series is scheduled to begin on February 16 as all three matches will be played at Eden Gardens. Currently, India and West Indies are in Ahmedabad where they will be playing a 3-match ODI series starting on February 6. Interestingly the ODI series has been played behind doors.
The T20I series between India and West Indies will start on February 16
However, the Bengal government has allowed 75% crowd in the sporting events so the CAB are waiting for confirmation from the BCCI. There are some reports floating around that the T20I series will be played behind doors, so the CAB president released a statement to clear the air.
“There are reports in the media that spectators would not be allowed during the three T-20 International Matches between India and West Indies to be held at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, later this month.” CAB President Avishek Dalmiya said.
“However, we have not received any written intimation or information regarding the same from the BCCI till now. Therefore, we would like to refrain from issuing any reaction in the matter at present,” he added.
Notable that the CAB hosted a T20I against New Zealand in November last year when 70% of the crowd capacity was allowed for the match. They are expecting on similar lines.
Eden Gardens hosted a total of 8 T20Is so far, 5 of them were from the T20 World Cup 2016.
The series between India and West Indies was originally scheduled to play across six venues in Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, Cuttack, Vishakapatnam, and Trivandrum. But as the Covid situation got worsened, BCCI decided to restrict it to two venues.
Also, Sri Lanka will travel to India for a series of two tests and three T20Is in February. It’s likely that that series will be hosted across 2 or 3 venues. The first test match between India and Sri Lanka will also be Virat Kohli’s 100th Test match in his career.
Also read Sourav Ganguly Provides An Update On Appointment Of India’s New Test Captain