Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium will host the second Test between India and England from February 13 onwards, after hosting the first match which is currently underway behind closed doors, without spectators in attendance.

However, with the central government and the Tamil Nadu government allowing 50% attendance for the public in sporting venues, the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) wrote to BCCI seeking permission to have a crowd for the second Test and received the same as well.

This will also mean that the three disputed stands I, J and K will be thrown open to the public after being closed since 2012, for the first time for an international cricket match.  

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The three stands were sealed after the 2011 World Cup owing to various issues, depriving the city of the opportunity to host matches at various events, including the World T20 in 2016 and the IPL final in 2019.

The only time the stands were allowed to have public in them was for an ODI between India and Pakistan in 2012. The three stands have a maximum capacity of 12,000 and each of the three stands has a capacity of 4,000 seats apiece.

Tickets for the second Test, to be played in Chennai from 13 to 17 February, will go on sale from 9 February, a top official of TNCA said on Sunday. Around 15,000 tickets will be sold and they will be available online only, TNCA secretary RS Ramasaamy said.

The stands are currently being cleaned and prepped for the second Test match. Apart from the crowd, the media, which was barred entry for the series-opening Test, would be allowed to cover the second, Ramasaamy said.

(PTI inputs)