As cricket returns to routine, the Maharashtra government has announced that the forthcoming edition of the IPL 2022 will allow a 25% increase in attendance. It would be held over four locations in Maharashtra, according to the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
While we may still be a long way from seeing a cricket stadium packed to capacity, the announcement of a 25% audience allotment will come as a huge relief to Indian cricket fans.
Spectators in IPL Matches
At the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala, 10,000 supporters were allowed to attend the recently concluded third T20I between India and Sri Lanka. Dhumal gave the following example to Cricbuzz and said: “Yes, we have come a full circle. It has set a new template for Indian cricket. There is no looking back.”
He further added: “It was in Dharamsala where the Covid threat to Indian cricket started in 2020. It halted the game there. Subsequently, the matches in Lucknow and Kolkata also got called off due to the Coronavirus threat.”
“We are glad that cricket with crowds got revived from Dharamsala itself. It was great to see the enthusiasm of the crowds for both the games. I hope there is no stopping Indian cricket from here.”
Upcoming IPL 2022 Matches
Importantly, the next Team India match, the first of a two-Test series against Sri Lanka, will be played in Mohali on March 3, and could be Virat Kohli’s 100th Test match, but the former India captain will be unable to play in front of a crowd at the Punjab Cricket Association stadium.
The Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore, however, will host spectators for the second Test. For the March 13-17 Test, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has confirmed that 50% of the audience – around 15,000 – will be allowed.
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