Mohali (Punjab) [India]March 1 (ANI): Former men’s Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli’s 100th Test match will not be played behind closed doors in Mohali, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah confirmed.
Kohli’s 100th Test match is to be played against Sri Lanka at the PCA IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali from March 4.
“The first Test between India and Sri Lanka to be played at the Punjab Cricket Stadium in Mohali will not take place behind closed doors. The decision to allow spectators into the ground is taken by the state cricket associations and, in the current circumstances, is based on various factors. I have spoken with the PCA office-bearers and they have confirmed that cricket fans will be able to witness the historic moment of Virat Kohli playing his 100th Test match,” Jay Shah told ANI.
“When we started the West Indies Tour of India behind closed doors, the encouraging drop in COVID-19 cases allowed hosting associations to allow crowds. Fans were able to watch games in Kolkata and Dharamsala based on the advice of the state health authorities, while the UPCA in Lucknow was without crowds due to voting a day before the T20I match,” he said.
India will play the first match of the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka in Mohali. The second test match will be played at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
“I am really looking forward to Virat Kohli’s 100th Test and wish our champion cricketer all the best. This is an opportunity for our fans to have a taste. May he continue to represent the country in many more matches to come,” said the BCCI secretary.
Kohli will play his 100th Test match under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma, who will lead India in Test matches for the first time. Kohli has scored 7962 runs in 99 Tests at an average of 50.39, with 27 tons to his name.
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