Jaipur’s SMS Stadium set to witness 100% attendance for the first IND-NZ T20I

Ish Sodhi

Crowds have always been a fundamental part of a cricket match. Of late, there haven’t been too many instances of a 100% occupancy of crowds during a match in a stadium. However, In what comes as great news to all the cricket fans in Jaipur, the Sawai Mansingh (SMS) Stadium is all set to welcome the crowds back.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it became really hard to have fans watch games in the stadiums. With safety being the first priority, it was best for the fans to watch their favorite teams and players play from their home. However, the situation has gotten better in the recent past.

There have been several instances of grounds allowing crowds during their matches in the recent past. As the number of COVID-19 cases in India were huge, it was all the more harder to witness fans in the grounds during the games held in India. However, as the situation in India with respect to COVID-19 has improved, the upcoming series between India and New Zealand is all set to witness fans back in the stadiums cheering for their teams.

India would look forward to better up records against New Zealand

The SMS stadium in Jaipur just added its name to the list of stadiums allowing the fans back. “The first T20I game between India and New Zealand is all set to witness a 100% occupancy of crowds. The Sawai Mansingh (SMS) Stadium is set to welcome crowds at full capacity on November 17 when India will begin their home season with a T20I series against New Zealand in Jaipur.”

“As the pandemic situation continues to improve in Rajasthan, the state government in its letter to the association has given its go ahead, permitting 100 percent seating capacity,” said the RCA president Vaibhav Gehlot as quoted by the TOI. The RCA secretary Mahendra Sharma even spoke about the precautions which will be taken during the game.

“Masks will be compulsory, proper sanitization and ventilation in enclosed areas will be ensured, the thermal screening will be in place, spectators who are fully vaccinated will be allowed entry. While those who are partially vaccinated will have to carry a negative RT-PCR report not older than 48 hours,” he added.

In the meanwhile, after losing to New Zealand during the 2021 T20 WC, India would like to set things right by beating the Kiwis this time around. This series is all set to commence on November 17. India have already announced their squad for this T20I series against the Kiwis.