India vs England T20I series lies in fine balance after India won the second match and drew the series for the time being. The first two matches took place with 50% of the total capacity of the stadium, but due to the rising Covid-19 cases in the state, the Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) has decided that the remaining three matches will happen behind closed doors.
The matches taking place on 16, 18 and 20 March won’t have spectators sitting in the stands. The GCA informed about this in a press-release. Dhiraj Nathwani, Vice President, GCA said in the press release:
“Due to rise in the number of Corona cases, we at GCA decided in consultation with BCCI, the matches will be played behind closed doors and to not allow spectators in the ground during the T20 internationals to be played between India and England at Ahmedabad."
There would be some who would have bought the tickets for the last three matches as earlier, it was decided that all the five T20Is would take place in the presence of fans. So, the people who bought the tickets for the remaining matches at the Narendra Modi Stadium need not worry as the GCA has also spoken about initiating refunds for the people who bought the tickets for the match. On the issue of refund, Dhiraj Nathwani said, “We will form the policy of refund of money to the spectators, who have already purchased the tickets for these three T20Is. Those who have received complimentary tickets are requested not to visit the stadium.”
ODI series already behind closed doors:
Now that the T20I series will take place behind closed doors, it was already known that the ODI series, that’s going to be played in Pune, is to be played without the presence of fans. Pune is the worst affected covid district in the country, thus to not allow fans in the stadium is only justified.
India vs England 3rd T20 will be played on 16 March, 2021 in Ahmedabad from 7 pm IST onwards.