IND Vs SL: Virat Kohli's 100th Test In Mohali To Have Crowds As Per Government Directive: BCCI President Sourav Ganguly

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President Sourav Ganguly on Tuesday said that there will be no crowd restrictions in the first Test between India and Sri Lanka in Mohali and the spectators will be allowed as per government directives.

Earlier it was mandated that the Mohali Test match between India and Sri Lanka will be played behind closed doors keeping in mind the rising COVID numbers in and around the city of Mohali. This led to widespread anger in Virat Kohli fans, as many wanted to witness him playing his 100^th Test match for India live.

Kohli is on 99 Tests as of now and his milestone Test match was supposed to happen in South Africa in January. However, he managed to play just two Tests there- the first and the third, missing the second match due to back spasms. Kohli has amassed 7,962 runs in 99 Tests at an average of 50.39 with 27 tons to his name thus far.

I Have Spoken To PCA President Rajinder Gupta And There Will Be No Restrictions: Sourav Ganguly

Meanwhile, before the schedule for the Sri Lanka Test series was announced, many hoped that Kohli played his milestone 100^th Test in Bangalore, given his connection with the city due to his association with the IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore, for whom he has played since 2008.

However, they were disappointed when the first Test was awarded to Mohali, while Bengaluru got the hosting rights to the second Test match, which will also be a day-night encounter. The anger and frustration further boiled over when it was announced that Mohali will not have crowds in the stadium due to COVID restrictions, while Bengaluru will have a 50% capacity crowd.

But now Sourav Ganguly confirmed that the PCA stadium will have a crowd as per government instructions and Virat Kohli will play his 100^th Test in front of fans in the stadium.

“Virat Kohli’s 100th test match will have no restrictions. BCCI asks the state associations to open up on the basis of govt directives. It is as per the government norms. Punjab Cricket Association will have a crowd as per government norms in Mohali Test. I have spoken to PCA president Rajinder Gupta and there will be no restrictions,” Ganguly was quoted by ANI.

Right after Ganguly’s statement, Punjab Cricket Association Treasurer RP Singla confirmed that Mohali Test will have a 50 percent crowd for the game.

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