The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly contemplating allowing a 50% crowd at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, and the new Sardar Patel Stadium - which is also known as The Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad for the four-Test series against England.

India is all set to hots England in four Tests, five T20Is and three ODIs to be played from February 5 to March 29, 2021, at the various venues across the country.

The first two Tests of the four-Test series between India and England will be held in Chennai on February 5 and 13 while the next two Tests are scheduled to be held at the new Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad on February 13 and March 4 respectively.

On Wednesday, January 20, a senior BCCI official has revealed that the Indian cricket board is seriously contemplating allowing a 50% crowd at both Chepauk and Motera Stadium for the upcoming Tests against England and even they are in talks with Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) and Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) and also state health authorities regarding the same.

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A senior BCCI source told PTI on conditions of anonymity on Wednesday: “As of now, we are likely to allow 50% spectators for the four-Test matches. The BCCI is in talks with both state cricket associations (TNCA and GCA) and also state health authorities.”

The source further added, “If you allow 50% crowd with all necessary precautions, then it will be an indicator if we can also allow spectators during IPL in India.”

Noteworthy, Ahmedabad’s Motera Stadium can hold over one lakh spectators, hence spacing of seats to maintain social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic will not be an issue here.

It is being said that Chennai and Ahmedabad will have two separate bio-bubbles for the players and support staff while both teams will travel by chartered flights within the country.

(With PTI Inputs)