VIRAT KOHLI ‘S 100TH LANDMARK TEST WILL BE WITNESSED BY ONLY 50 PERCENT SPECTATORS , 1ST TEST BETWEEN INDIA AND SRI LANKA TO BE HELD IN MOHALI

(The Quiver) : The Board of Control for Cricket in India(BCCI) on Tuesday showed green signal to the Punjab Cricket Association to host the 1st Test between India and Sri Lanka  with a 50 percent capacity at PCA Stadium. Lucky spectators will be able to witness the historic moment of  Virat kohli’s 100th Test in PCA Stadium.

This decision of BCCI is welcomed by fans. BCCI has asked PCA to make arrangements to allow fans upto 50% capacity of the PCA Stadium for Kohli’s  landmark Test. Ticket sales for the Test series opener will get underway, considering the imitation in time for printing match tickets. The PCA is likely to allow the online sale of tickets. India will take on Sri Lanka in the first of the 2-Test series in Mohali from Friday, March 4.

BCCI secretary Jay Shah, in a statement, said ,”he is looking forward to Virat Kohli’s 100th Test and that the match in Mohali will not be held behind closed doors.”

“I am really looking forward to Virat Kohli’s 100th Test and wish our champion cricketer the very best. This is an occasion for our fans to savour. May he continue to represent the country in many more matches to come ,” he further added.

Speaking to the press on Tuesday, India vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah said the team was not focusing on things that are not in their control when asked about the board’s initial decision to not have a crowd for the landmark Test.

“Right now we’re focussed on what we can control. Of course, if there’s a crowd it’s great since they bring energy. But that’s not in our hands. We can only focus on trying to win the match,” Bumrah further added.

However, a section of fans expressed their disappointment at Kohli playing his 100th Test in front of empty stands in Mohali, questioning the BCCI’s decision. While the T20I series against Sri Lanka was played with spectators in both Dharamsala, the 2nd Test in Bengaluru will also have 50 percent capacity at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Legendary India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar also expressed his disappointment by saying, “Any game that you play, you want the crowd to be there. India has played without any crowds in recent times. Any performer, be it an actor, be it a cricketer, wants to play in front of the crowd. The 100th Test is very very special. Disappointing that there is going to be no crowd, but I think the decision has been taken in the greater interest. The cases have increased in and around Mohali, where the match is going to be played .”

As per the sources ,The PCA, however, has put up billboards across the stadium to celebrate the momentous occasion and our legendary crickter Virat Kohli would be felicitated by the state body’s apex council either before or after the Test match in Mohali.