The Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, Rajasthan, is likely to be packed to full capacity when India take on New Zealand in the opening T20 International on November 17 as the host association has placed minor restrictions on entry of spectators. Those who are not vaccinated will have to carry a valid COVID negative test report which is not older than 48 hours from the start of the match. “As per the current state guidelines, we can have a full crowd. You need to be vaccinated with one dose or you carry a negative test report which will be checked at the entrance,” Rajasthan Cricket Association secretary Mahendra Sharma said.
Australia lifts maiden T20 World Cup, beats New Zealand by 8 wickets
The Sawai Mansingh Stadium has a capacity of 25,000 and the India vs New Zealand game will be the first international game at the venue in eight years.
Sharma said there will be no entry into the stadium without masks for the game, which will also be the first international match in India with no restrictions at all in the COVID era.
Kane Williamson hits fastest 50 in men’s T20 World Cup final
Crowds were capped at 50% during some matches of India’s home series against England in February before a surge in cases during the white-ball leg forced the organisers to stage the games without spectators.
New Zealand lost the T20 World Cup final to Australia on November 14, while India were knocked out of the tournament’s Super 12 stage following consecutive losses to Pakistan and New Zealand. Nine players from New Zealand’s Test squad arrived in Jaipur on November 10, added Sharma.
Who will win T20 World Cup, Australia or New Zealand? Pietersen has his say
The three-match T20 series will be followed by two Tests as part of the World Test Championship.
The upcoming India vs New Zealand series will be opening batsman Rohit Sharma’s first as Team India’s full-time T20I captain. It will also mark the start of former National Cricket Academy head Rahul Dravid’s two-year coaching stint with the senior men’s team.
(With PTI inputs)
