The BCCI and the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association decided to allow 50 per cent spectators at the second India-England Test match to be held at the M A Chidambaram stadium. The M A Chidambaram stadium has a capacity of 50,000.
The Tamil Nadu government announced that for sports, including cricket, 50 per cent occupancy would be allowed in stadiums.
The BCCI and the TNCA had earlier decided that the first two matches would be held behind closed doors. This issue was discussed again by the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) members after fresh COVID-19 guidelines on easing of public movement. The move was cleared in a meeting between TNCA and BCCI officials.
The first Test match begins on Friday while the second match starts on February 13. They decided to allow media to cover both the Test matches from the press box at the stadium.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) had requested that matches be played behind closed doors. An ECB spokesperson said it would react only after getting an official communication from the BCCI.