India vs England: Gujarat Cricket Association to allow 50% crowd for T20I series

Ahmedabad: The Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) has decided to allow 50 percent spectators during the India-England T20 International series at the Narendra Modi Stadium here owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. The series, comprising five matches, is starting on Friday with the final fixture slated to be played on 20 March. “We are going to use only 50% seating capacity at the Narendra Modi Stadium for all the T20 International matches to be played here due to COVID-19 pandemic,” Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) vice-president Dhanraj Nathwani said in a media release. Nathwani said that all COVID-19 guidelines are being followed, adding that special task force committees have been formed to ensure the safety of the fans. “The entire stadium has been sanitized considering the safety of the spectators. All COVID-19 guidelines are being strictly adhered to and special task force committees have been set up to ensure that all required safety measures are implemented and followed,” he added. Apart from the first Test against England, which was played behind closed doors in Chennai, the other three matches of the series were played with up to 50 percent crowds allowed inside the stadiums. After the T20Is, the two teams will engage in a three-match ODI series in Pune, starting 23 March.