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During the third T20I between India and Sri Lanka, Dharamsala saw more than 10,000 spectators. Thus, the BCCI is hopeful of continuing the trend. Owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been several games that have been played behind closed doors.
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However, according to a report by Cricbuzz, The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) and Maharashtra Cricket Association (MHCA), which will be hosting the fifteenth edition of the Indian T20 league, shall also see crowds. Maharashtra minister Aditya Thackrey met the MCA officials, and agreed to allow 25 percent of crowds. Besides, the state government is encouraged by the fact that the COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra have reduced.
It is to be noted that Mumbai will be hosting 55 games of the 2022 edition of the Indian T20 league, and Pune shall be hosting 15 matches. Thus, fans shall get a chance to see their favourite teams from the stands this time around.
There have been less than 1000 new cases in Mumbai in the last 24 hours
It was 24 months ago when the deadly virus first impacted Indian cricket. The second and third one-dayer against South Africa had to be called-off in March 2020. However, things have improved since then. Thus, the treasurer of the Indian board Arun Singh Dhumal drew light on the same, and spoke about how crowds are back in the stadium.
"It was in Dharamsala where the Covid threat to Indian cricket started in 2020. It halted the game there. Subsequently the matches in Lucknow and Kolkata also got called off due to the Coronavirus threat. We are glad that cricket with crowds got revived from Dharamsala itself. It was great to see the enthusiasm of the crowds for both the games. I hope there is no stopping Indian cricket from here," said Dhumal.
However, the first of the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, which is set to take place in Mohali, shall take place behind closed doors. Incidentally, it also happens to be Virat Kohli's 100th Test. Nevertheless, the second Test in Bangalore is confirmed to have about 50 per cent crowd.