India vs New Zealand T20Is: As fans return to stadiums for the first time since the home series against England, Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) has announced that only people with at least one jab of Covid-19 vaccine will be allowed. Jaipur’s Sawai Man Singh Stadium will host the first T20I between India vs New Zealand on November 17. Follow IND vs NZ T20I series on InsideSport.in.
“Guidance was sought from the Home Department of the state government on entry of spectators in the match while also complying with COVID-19 protocols. Rajasthan Cricket Association has got permission in this regard by the department for the entry of spectators in the match,” RCA Secretary Mahendra Sharma told Mint.
India vs New Zealand T20Is: Crowd returns to stadium, people with at least one Covid vaccine dose allowed
However, those who are not jabbed will have to carry a valid COVID negative test report which is not older than 48 hours from the start of the match.
The Sawai Mansingh Stadium which has a capacity of 25000 is hosting an international game after eight years.
“As per the current state guidelines, we can have a full crowd. You need to be vaccinated with one dose or you carry a negative test report which will be checked at the entrance,” Rajasthan Cricket Association secretary Mahendra Sharma told PTI on Thursday.
Sharma said there will be no entry into the stadium without masks. It will be the first international match in India with no restrictions in the COVID era.
Crowds were allowed during India’s home series against England but the number was capped at 50 percent before a spike in cases during the white-ball leg forced the organisers to stage the games without fans.
Sharma said the tickets for the opening T20 will go on sale from Thursday night and will be available on paytm.com.
“The prices start from Rs 1000 and the most expensive ticket will cost Rs 15000,” he said.
While New Zealand have the reached the T20 World Cup final, to be played on November 14, nine players from their Test squad arrived in Jaipur on Wednesday, added Sharma.
“According to guidelines issued by the state government, spectators should follow COVID appropriate behaviour like mandatory use of masks, sanitisation, thermal screening, proper ventilation and vaccination with at least one dose of covid vaccine by all spectators, staff and players,” Sharma said.
India team under Rohit Sharma’s captaincy will arrive in Jaipur from today and will undergo a three-day quarantine. The New Zealand side will arrive only after T20 World Cup commitments. If they reach the final, Kane Williamson & Co will arrive on November 15 two days before the series and since it will be a bubble-to-bubble transfer, they will not need to undergo quarantine.
India vs New Zealand, T20I Schedule
Nov 17, Wed – India vs New Zealand, 1st T20I – Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur – 7:00 PM
India vs New Zealand, Test Schedule
Nov 25, Thu – Nov 29, Mon – India vs New Zealand, 1st Test – Green Park, Kanpur – 9:30 AM
Dec 03, Fri – Dec 07, Tue – India vs New Zealand, 2nd Test – Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai – 9:30 AM
India’s T20I squad: Rohit Sharma (Captain), KL Rahul (Vice-Captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Ishan Kishan (wicket-keeper), Venkatesh Iyer, Yuzvendra Chahal, R Ashwin, Axar Patel, Avesh Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Deepak Chahar, Harshal Patel, Mohd. Siraj
