Lagatar24 Desk
Dharamshala, March 1: Sunil Gavaskar, the former India captain, spoke out about the BCCI’s decision to hold Virat Kohli’s 100th Test behind closed doors, saying that while it was regrettable that there was no audience in Mohali, the board acted with greater urgency as Covid-19 instances in the Punjab city grew.
When India takes on Sri Lanka at the PCA Stadium in Mohali on March 5, Kohli will play his 100th Test match. There are high hopes for the star batter’s milestone match, but some cricket fans are unhappy with the choice not to hold it at the PCA Stadium.
Notably, PCA treasurer RP Singla on Saturday confirmed that fans were not allowed to watch match against Sri Lanka from the stadium in Mohali. Singla said the decision has been taken in accordance with a directive from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
“Any game that you play, you want the crowd to be there. India has played without any crowds in recent times. Any performer, be it an actor, be it a cricketer, wants to play in front of the crowd. The 100th Test is very very special. Disappointing that there is going to be no crowd, but I think the decision has been taken in the greater interest. The cases have increased in and around Mohali, where the match is going to be played,” said Sunil Gavaskar.
While the decision not to allow fans to reduce the danger of Covid-19 infection has become the standard in recent years, fans have raised concerns, highlighting the fact that the current T20I series in Dharamsala is being played with spectators.
Notably, whereas Ahmedabad did not allow spectators for the ODI series against the West Indies earlier this month, the Eden Gardens in Kolkata had fans for the series’ final match, albeit at a reduced capacity.
