IND vs WI: BCCI permits CAB to allow bigger crowds at Eden Gardens for 3rd T20I

The Men in Blue will be backed by a much bigger number of spectators in the third T20I between India and West Indies to be played at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. After a formal request made by Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has given its nod to allow crowd for the final T20I to be played between the two countries.

West Indies squad packed with some power hitters will square off against team India in a three-match series. All three matches will be played at the Eden Gardens, with first T20I to be played on January 16. For the first two T20Is on Wednesday and Friday, some crowd has been allowed in the hospitality area and the Club House upper tier. CAB had requested to the BCCI to allow spectators in the upper blocks of all the stands at Eden. However, the cricket board has granted permission for the third and final game of the series.

“As discussed with other OB (Office Bearers), as per your request, you can open up for the last T20 match against West Indies at Eden,” BCCI president Sourav Ganguly has emailed to CAB chief Avishek Dalmiya confirmed a report published in Indian Express.

Team India looking for right combinations ahead of T20I World Cup

Rohit Sharma-led Team India take on the West Indies with one eye on getting their combination right in the early part of the run-up to the 2022 T20 World Cup scheduled later this year.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant has been named the vice-captain with KL Rahul injured and ruled out. Fast bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami have been rested which means one could see more of Mohammed Siraj and Shardul Thakur shouldering pace bowling responsibilities.

Indian fans would also be hoping that Virat Kohli would be able to turn around his dismal form, with the former Indian skipper scoring just 26 runs across the three ODI matches against the same team.