It’s disappointing not to have an audience at Virat Kohli’s 100th test, but the decision was made with greater interest: Sunil Gavaskar

Sport

Speaking to Sports Today, big hitter Sunil Gavaskar reacted to the BCCI’s decision to hold Virat Kohli’s 100th Test behind closed doors in Mohali.

Sunil Gavaskar reacts to BCCI's decision to hold Virat Kohli's 100th test behind closed doors (Reuters Photo)

Sunil Gavaskar reacts to BCCI’s decision to hold Virat Kohli’s 100th test behind closed doors (Reuters Photo)

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Former skipper Virat Kohli will be behind closed doors for his 100th test in Mohali
  • Sunil Gavaskar reacts to BCCI’s decision to hold Kohli’s 100th test behind closed doors
  • Sunil Gavaskar said that every cricketer wants to play in front of a crowd

Former Indian skipper Sunil Gavaskar opened up on the BCCI’s decision to hold the 100th test of Virat Kohli behind closed doors, saying it was disappointing not to have a crowd at Mohali but the board took the step with greater interest than Covid- 19 cases in Punjab city has risen.

Kohli will play his 100th Test when India take on Sri Lanka at the PCA Stadium in Mohali from March 5. There are many expectations of the star-batter’s landmark game, but the decision not to have an audience at the PCA Stadium has not pleased a section of cricket fans.

PCA Treasurer RP Singla confirmed this on Saturday Fans are not allowed to see the first test against Sri Lanka from the legendary stadium in Mohali. Singla said the decision was made in accordance with a guideline from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

“Every game you play, you want the crowd to be there. India has been playing without a crowd lately. Every performer, be it an actor, be it a cricketer, wants to play in front of the crowd. The 100th test is very, very special. It’s disappointing that there will be no audience but I think the decision was made in the greater interest. Cases in and around Mohali, where the game is being played, have increased,” Sunil Gavaskar told Sport today .

While the decision not to allow fans to curb the risk of Covid-19 infection has been the norm in the recent past, fans have questioned this, citing that the ongoing T20I series will be played with spectators in Dharamsala.

Ahmedabad, in particular, didn’t allow spectators for the ODI series against West Indies earlier this month, but Kolkata’s Eden Gardens had fans, albeit at a reduced capacity, for the final game of the series.

Meanwhile, Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium, which will host the 2nd Test against Sri Lanka, also confirmed a capacity of 50 percent.

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