PIL Filed To Postpone India vs New Zealand Ranchi T20I; Petitioner Wants Reduced Capacity For The Match In Stadium

Advocate Dheeraj Kumar has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in Jharkhand high court seeking postponement of the upcoming second T20 International match between India and New Zealand on November 19, Friday to be played in Ranchi. Both the teams are clashing in a series of three T20 Internationals with Rohit Sharma co. winning the first match which was played in Jaipur on November 17.

The match at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur saw 100% crowd capacity and likewise, the second T20I at the Jharkhand State Cricket Association Stadium in Ranchi will also be played with 100% crowd capacity in the stands, which the petitioner has objected to in his PIL.

The local advocate has stated that he is unhappy with the state cricket association’s decision to allow a hundred percent crowd for the game even as the institutions in the state like Courts, Temples, and other offices continue to operate at fifty percent capacity.

The situation in India with regard to COVID-19 has stabilized and hence BCCI had allowed a full capacity crowd for all the three T20Is against New Zealand after full clearance from the local government authorities.

Meanwhile, Advocate Dheeraj Kumar, the petitioner, is clearly on the other page and requested the court to step in. In his PIL, he has called for the postponement of the fixture or allowing the contest to continue with half of the stadium’s capacity.

JSCA Overturns Its Decision To Have 50% Capacity; Makes It 100% After Jaipur Hosts Match With Full Crowd

The Jharkhand Cricket Association had previously allowed only 50% crowd, but the decision was overturned after Rajasthan Cricket Association got permission to have a full house for the first T20I.

“Guidance was sought from the Home Department of the state government on entry of spectators in the match while also complying with COVID-19 protocols. Rajasthan Cricket Association has got permission in this regard by the department for the entry of spectators in the match,” RCA secretary Mahendra Sharma had said.

While no crowd restrictions were put in place for the T20I series opener in Jaipur, spectators were allowed entry into the Sawai Mansingh Stadium with proof of vaccination or a negative RT-PCR test.

Unfortunately, the crowd was seen blatantly violating the COVID-19 guidelines with the majority of the crowd and local police not adhering to social distancing or wearing a mask in public.

Also Read: Second T20I Between India And New Zealand In Ranchi Expected To Be A Full House