The three-match One Day International (ODI) series between India and England will be played behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but a decision on whether all matches will be hosted in Pune or the last will be shifted to Mumbai is yet to be confirmed. 

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India’s cricketing governing body, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), is considering changing the venue of the last ODI from Pune to Mumbai, news agency ANI reported quoting sources 

“We will not have fans with an eye on the COVID-19 situation. But whether the last game moves to Mumbai or all the matches will be played in Pune is a call that is still to be finalised. We also need to keep the English Cricket Board (ECB) in the loop,” ANI quoted the source as saying. 

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The fourth and final Test between India and England will be hosted at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium from March 4 to March 8, with the five-match T20I series set to be hosted at the same venue from March 12. 

Pune’s Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium will then host the three ODIs on March 23, 26 and 28. 

However, with the recent surge in COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra, the 50-over matches could also be hosted at Ahmedabad. 

“We do use chartered planes, but I would think if the cases do increase in Maharashtra, we could have a situation wherein we stick to Ahmedabad for the rest of the tour,” a BCCI functionary said. 

India are currently leading 2-1 in the four-match Test series after a 10-wicket win in the third Test, which was the first pink-ball match between the two sides. The state of the pitch received a lot from criticism, particularly from former English players, as the match, which got over in just two days, saw a total of 387 runs being scored for 30 wickets.

The loss eliminated England from the race for the World Test Championship (WTC) final, with India needing a draw to play New Zealand at the Lord’s in June.