International cricket returned to India with much fanfare when England entered the MA Chidambaram Stadium for the first Test in Chennai last week.
But that fanfare was missing one key ingredient – fans at the stadium. Spectators were kept away from the first Test due to the coronavirus pandemic and absence of approval for spectators at matches.
But following a directive from the sports ministry, the Indian cricket board (BCCI) and the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association received the necessary local government approval to allow 15,000 fans at Chepauk for the second Test that begins on Saturday.
Tickets for the match were sold online but match passes had to be redeemed in person at the stadium. Thousands of fans turned up at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Thursday to collect their tickets for the Test which India need to win to avoid a series defeat after a crushing 227-run defeat in the opener.
According to the Press Trust of India, fans will be checked for Covid-19 symptoms before being allowed entry. Once inside the venue, they will have to maintain social distancing and wear face masks.
