Empty Stands due to Coronavirus! BCCI announces remaining two ODIs to be played behind-closed-doors

New Delhi, March 13: After the opening match of the three-match series was washed due to rain, BCCI now has declared on Thursday that the remaining two One-day Internationals (ODI) of South Africa tour of India will be played behind the closed doors amid the deadly coronavirus outbreak.

 

The first ODI match was abandoned due to rain without a single ball being played in Dharamshala on Thursday. Holding a meeting with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) and bringing out more bitter news for the cricket fans, BCCI has taken the decision to conduct both the remaining matches without any spectators in the stands. The remaining matches will be played in Lucknow and Kolkata on March 15 and March 18 respectively.

 

 

The BCCI stated, "After holding discussions with the MYAS and MOHFW, the BCCI on Thursday announced that the remaining two One-day Internationals (ODIs) of the three-match series of South Africa tour of India, 2020, will be played without any public gathering, including spectators"

BCCI has been in continuous contact with the Government along with MYAS and MOHFW in the wake of coronavirus outbreak. It has ensured has that the health conditions of the players will be taken care of. Co-operating with government, it added, "making every effort for compliance with the regulatory bodies of the Government of India and ensure the safety of our athletes and valued fans."

The BCCI has started its closed-door policy by making the fifth day of the Ranji Trophy final to be played in an empty stadium in Rajkot. With the World Health Organisation (WHO), on Wednesday, declaring COVID-19 as a pandemic, Ministry of External Affairs has already advised another sporting event, the massive Indian Premier League tournament to avoid hosting this year amid the outbreak which has taken the tally of confirmed cases to 74 in the country.