England vs India: Narendra Modi Stadium to have no spectators for remaining T20 matches after huge Covid spike

Spike in local Covid case numbers means matches will be played behind closed doors, with ticket holders reimbursed

Crowd cheers during second Twenty20 International India vs England match (REUTERS)

The remaining three T20 internationals between England and India will be played without spectators as a result of a spike in Covid cases in Gujarat state.

India inaugurated the newly renovated and renamed Narendra Modi Stadium, the largest cricket ground in the world, specifically for the visit of the England team, and it played host to the third and fourth Test matches between the two countries.

But the Gujarat Cricket Association announced late on Monday night that all upcoming matches, including Tuesday’s, would go ahead at the 110,000-seater stadium behind closed doors.

Spectators who had already bought tickets will be refunded, the association said. Matches up until now were played at a maximum 50 per cent stadium capacity, though in practice even this capacity was far from sold out.

“Due to rise in the number of Corona cases, we have decided in consultation with BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India), the matches will be played closed door and not allow the spectators in the ground during T20 Internationals to be played between India and England at Ahmedabad,” said Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) vice president Dhanraj Nathwani.

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The directive came as Covid cases have been surging in the western state of Gujarat, with new infections rising above 890 on Monday, the highest daily figure in 2021. The state government has ordered curfews in several places, closing down commercial activities after 10pm. In Ahmedabad, a curfew had previously been in place from midnight.

The first two matches of the five-game T20 series were attended by thousands of cricket fans. As with the third and fourth Test matches, despite signs and instructions at the ground most spectators were not wearing masks and there was little evidence of social distancing.

The stadium, which was renamed after India’s prime minister on the it played host to the third Test between England and India, attracted particularly large numbers of fans for the day-night pink ball match.

The large gatherings, with fans travelling to attend from across India, attracted the ire of local business owners who called out the authorities for allowing such events to go on while restricting their own operations.

The T20 series is currently tied 1-1 and the remaining matches will be played on 16 March, 18 March and 20 March.

England won the first match of the series by eight wickets, while India won the second by seven wickets.

Tuesday’s match, sans audience, was due to begin at 7pm local time.