As Team India are ready to take on South Africa in the eight-match limited-overs (five ODIs and three T20Is) series at the Ekana International Stadium in Lucknow, fans can enjoy some live-action too. Spectators up to 10% of the stadium capacity would be allowed in the stand during the India vs South Africa series, starting March 7, confirmed the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) to ESPNcricinfo.
Notably, the decision was taken on Thursday evening after a meeting between the UPCA and the local health authorities. However, tickets for all the games will be put up for sale online at INR 200 and INR 400 (US$ 2.7 and 5.5) as no tickets will be given in-person.
Meanwhile, vice-president of the BCCI, Rajeev Shukla, who is also a part of the UPCA board of directors, said that apart from spectators, media personnel will also be allowed for the India vs South Africa series, having a prospect to promote women’s cricket.
“Women’s cricket is very important for us. That’s why we brought the matches to UP and Lucknow,” Shukla said to ESPNcricinfo. “We want more and more people to come watch the series but the problem is you have to follow whatever the state administration allows given the (Covid-19) situation.
“Only a limited number of tournaments are being held right now due to the pandemic. We are organising a women’s [international] series now and the domestic season is about to begin. So, we want to promote women’s cricket; the BCCI also wants to promote women’s cricket,” he further added.
Team India last feature in the final of the T20 World Cup against Australia on March 8, 2020. Since then, they only played in the Women’s T20 Challenge in the UAE during the IPL 2020 playoffs. On the other hand, South Africa have already faced Pakistan in both white-ball formats and secured comfortable victories.
SQUADS:
India: Mithali Raj (Captain), Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Punam Raut, Priya Punia, Yastika Bhatia, Harmanpreet Kaur (Vice-captain), D. Hemalatha, Deepti Sharma, Sushma Verma (Wicket-keeper), Swetha Verma (Wicket-keeper), Radha Yadav, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Jhulan Goswami, Mansi Joshi, Poonam Yadav, C. Prathyusha, Monica Patel
South Africa: Sune Luus (Captain), Ayabonga Khaka, Shabnim Ismail, Laura Wolvaardt, Trisha Chetty, Sinalo Jafta, Tasmin Britz, Marizanne Kapp, Nondumiso Shangase, Lizelle Lee, Anneke Bosch, Faye Tunnicliffe, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Mignon du Preez, Nadine de Klerk, Lara Goodall, Tumi Sekhukhune
