The second Test is being played with stadium capacity reduced to 50% in Chennai.
Former India cricketers VVS Laxman and Wasim Jaffer welcomed the return of spectators to the stadium in the ongoing second Test between India and England being played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, calling the fans “the biggest stakeholders and an integral part of the game”.
The first Test of the ongoing four-match Test series was played behind closed doors, but the ongoing second Test is being played with 50 percent capacity at the MA Chidambaram Stadium – for the first time fans were allowed at the stadiums after over a year in the country due to COVID-19 pandemic.
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Taking to Twitter on Saturday, February 13, Laxman was elated to see the fans back at the stadiums while expecting them to make a massive difference in the ongoing second Test as India is trailing by 0-1 in the ongoing four-match Test series against England.
Laxman tweeted: “Glad Fans are back in the stadium for the 2nd #IndvEng test in Chennai. They are the biggest stakeholders and an integral part of our sport and I expect them to make a massive difference. Good toss to win for India and hope they make it count by scoring big in the 1st innings.”
Meanwhile, Jaffer has described the Indian fans as the heartbeat of the game of cricket while crediting them for making the game of such stature in the country.
He tweeted, “Very happy to see fans back at the Chepauk. The fans are the heartbeat of our sport. Indian cricket wouldn't be as big as it is today if not for the constant support of passionate fans. #INDvsENG.”