1st Test between India and Sri Lanka will be played at the PCA Stadium in Mohali behind closed doors.
Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar has expressed his views on the BCCI's decision to not allow fans inside the stadium for Virat Kohli's 100th Test match against Sri Lanka.
Kohli will be playing his 100th Test at the PCA Stadium in Mohali from March 4 and PCA Treasurer RP Singla confirmed that fans won't be allowed for the first Test against Sri Lanka on the order of the BCCI.
Well, BCCI allowed the fans for the recent T20I matches against Sri Lanka, but they opted to stage the opening Test of the upcoming two-match Test series behind closed doors, a decision criticized by many, given that it is a huge occasion for Kohli and he deserves to live the moment in front of his fans.
Reacting to the developments, Gavaskar said that it was disappointing to have no crowd in Mohali for Kohli’s 100th Test match, but stressed that the BCCI took the decision with greater interest, considering the rising COVID-19 cases around the Punjab city.
Gavaskar told Sports Today: “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.”
He signed off by saying, “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.”