There will be no spectators allowed at Mohali’s
PCA (Punjab Cricket Association) Stadium for India’s first Test against Sri
Lanka – which will also be former Indian skipper Virat Kohli’s 100th
appearance in the format – starting March 4, officials said on Saturday.

“Yes, apart from the people, who are on
duty for the Test match, we are not allowing any general spectators as per the
directive of BCCI,” PCA treasurer RP Singla told PTI.

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The decision has been taken in light of the current COVID-19 situation in and around Mohali, while also keeping into mind the fact that following the second Test, most players will be linking up with their respective franchises ahead of the 2022 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in a bubble-to-bubble transfer. 

“Still there are fresh COVID cases emerging
in and around Mohali, so it’s better we take all safety protocols. Obviously,
the fans miss out because an international match at Mohali is happening after
almost three years”.

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However, Singla said that the PCA will
mark the occasion by putting up billboard across the stadium.

“We will be
putting up big billboards and our PCA Apex Council has also decided to
felicitate Virat. We will either do it at the start of the game or at the end
depending on BCCI directive.”

Kohli will become the 11th Indian to make 100 Test appearance, joining the likes of batting legend Sachin Tendulkar (200), current Indian head coach Rahul Dravid (163) and others. 

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Kohli was initially supposed to play his 100th Test in Cape Town during last month’s India’s tour of South Africa, however, he failed to play the second Test in Johannesburg and thus fell short of the landmark. 

India will host Sri Lanka for a two-match Test series. The second will be a Day-Night Test to be played at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru from March 12.