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Image Credit - Times Of India[/caption]The second test is slated to be played between February 13 and 17 and India will clash with England at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. The fans are given the go to see the match as they can occupy 50% of the seating arrangement. The fans are already gearing up as they are allowed to enter the stadium and watch the test match. The go-ahead was given by BCCI to the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association on Monday.
But the first and the opening test match is still going to be played behind closed doors but the English and Indian players are looking forward to their fans as they will be cheering for them inside the stadium as it will start from the second test onwards.
Ramasaamy, the TNCA secretary on Monday has told news outlets that the BCCI has already communicated to TNCA that the fans are allowed inside the stadium for the second test. They are just waiting for the confirmation to come officially and the first test is going to be played behind closed doors but it has already been very late to make any kind of arrangements for the very first test.
The sports ministry decides to allow full capacity crowds inside the stadium for the outdoor events and the government of Tamil Nadu has revised the guidelines for permitting crowd entry as the stadium has opened all the doors for developments. The announcement came after it has been stated earlier that fans are not going to be allowed for the first couple of tests.
The stands I, J and K have got clearances already in last year, and once again it is open to the public. The total capacity stands at around 38,000 at the Chepauk. RS Ramasaamy has told that there will be around 12,000 to 15,000 tickets that are expected to go on sale. The seats that are there in the terrace enclosure and the coveted pavilion will remain for the public out of bounds since it is very close to the dressing room of players. He also added that there will be no seating in the terrace stands and the pavilion as it will ensure that nobody will come close to the area for the players.
The English and the Indian players at this moment have completed their quarantine of six-days after negative results are returned in the three tests that are conducted for RT-PCR over that period. On Monday evening, every Indian player was present at the Chepauk as they did some warm-up exercises and stretching. On Tuesday morning, they are going to hit the nets for their very first practice session.
The English team is going to follow suit as they are going to train as a group on Tuesday afternoon for the first time. Rory Burns, Jofra Archer, and Ben Stokes have already started practicing as they were not part of the Sri Lanka series.
