Eden Gardens to have 75 percent crowds for India vs West Indies T20I series

The West Bengal government has made allowance for 75 percent attendance at the Eden Gardens for the upcoming India vs West Indies T20I series that is slated to begin from February 16. These three games are to happen on the back of three ODIs that are to be played at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

As per the state government's statement issued on Monday, “All indoor and outdoor sports activities will be allowed with 75 percent of the capacity of the venue.” 

The ODIs are to start on February 6th and will set the tone of the explosive contest that lies ahead for both teams. India will be coming into the series on the back of a disappointing series against South Africa while the West Indian contingent come in riding high on confidence having clinched the T20I series against England at home.

Kolkata also played host to the T20I between India and New Zealand in November 2021 at 70 percent crowd capacity. CAB president Avishek Dalmiya said in a statement, “We are thankful to the honorable Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, chief secretary and Government of West Bengal for announcing the resumption of sporting activities as well as for allowing 75 percent of the capacity of spectators back to the stadium.”

“We feel that it will give a fresh lease of life to the sportspersons of the state. After the New Zealand T20I last year, this time too, CAB is confident that it will be able to successfully host the three T20Is against the West Indies in a similar manner," he added.

As per the original schedule, the three ODIs were supposed to be played at Ahmedabad, Jaipur, and Kolkata while the three T20Is were to be played at Cuttack, Vishakapatnam, and Thiruvanathapuram. However, BCCI was compelled to rejig the schedule after Covid started raging across the country again.