MOHALI: The Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) on Saturday made it clear that the opening Test between India and Sri Lanka, also slated to be former skipper Virat Kohli's landmark 100th Test, will be held behind closed doors. The BCCI doesn't want to take any chances despite Covid-19 cases on the decline.
PCA treasurer RP Singla said that the state cricket association respects the sentiments of the fans, but also has to abide by the BCCI directive due to cases in and around Mohali. In the past 24 hours, Mohali reported 19 fresh cases.
"Apart from the people who are on duty for the Test match, no general spectators will be allowed. We are strictly abiding by the directives of the BCCI. We are also ensuring that the ground staff and all others on duty are double vaccinated," the PCA treasurer told TOI.
"The PCA respects the sentiments of the fans, as the Mohali ground is hosting an international match after almost three years. , Coincidentally this will also be a landmark Test for Kohli. But the safety of players, support staff, ground staff and the fans is paramount, which is why we had to take the call," he explained.
"(Covid-19) cases might have gone down to double digits, but why take the risk," he added.
Singla said the PCA has planned to put up banners and billboards across the stadium to celebrate Kohli's 100th Test, and will felicitate the legendary batsman during the Test match.
"It is a momentous occasion. The PCA is all set to felicitate Virat on his incredible feat... there are a very few players who reach this milestone. We will go according to BCCI's directive on holding the felicitation event. It could either be at the start of the match or at the end," he said.
Kohli, who has so far scored 7,962 runs in 99 Tests, will be the 11th Indian player to feature in 100 Tests or more. Batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar leads the chart with 200 Tests. The others in the elite list are current India head coach Rahul Dravid (163), NCA chief VVS Laxman (134), Anil Kumble (132), Kapil Dev (131), Sunil Gavaskar (125), Dilip Vengsarkar (116), Sourav Ganguly (113), Ishant Sharma (105), Harbhajan Singh (103) and Virender Sehwag (103).
However, the second Test, a day-nighter in Bengaluru, will have crowd attendance at 50 per cent capacity, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) announced on Satuday.
