India Vs South Africa 2nd ODI To Be Held In Empty Stadium

Between India and South Africa, the remaining two one-dayers will be played in empty stadiums in Lucknow and Kolkata due to the feared novel coronavirus pandemic. On March 15 in Lucknow and on March 18 in Kolkata, the matches are scheduled to be held. Lucknow ODI will be held behind closed doors confirmed by the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) while on the other hand; the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) has also put ticket sales on hold with urgent effect, an indicator of things to come.
In case it's unpreventable to postpone a sporting event, then it is preferable that it be conducted without a large public gathering, an advisory issued by the sports ministry.
A BCCI source told to PTI that if they are advised to avoid large gatherings, they will have to abide by it, acknowledged the sports ministry's advisory.
On the 12th of March, UPCA secretary Yudhveer Singh confirmed the development to the reporters in Lucknow. He said, after hearing the government advisory, they had a discussion with BCCI officials and then decided that spectators will be barred from entering the stadium during second ODI between India and South Africa on March 15.
The Cricket Association of Bengal president, Avishek Dalmiya, who also met Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at the state secretariat in Kolkata to discuss the prevailing situation, had decided to put ticket sales on hold.
He told PTI from Kolkata that he met our honorable CM at the secretariat. They would like to adhere to the government directive that had been issued on the 12th of March and they are stopping all ticket sales with immediate effect. They will wait until further directive.
On asking the question - So, isn't it a foregone conclusion that the matches will be played in empty stadiums?
Dalmiya replied he wouldn't like to make any untimely comment. As of now, they will stop ticket sales until further directive. That's how it stands.
Apart from the players and support staff, only the TV crew, commentators and journalists will be allowed inside the stadium in case of the matches held behind closed doors.
In Rajkot, the BCCI is starting with its closed-door policy as the fifth day of the Ranji Trophy final will be played in an empty stadium.

By: Suvarna Gupta
Content: https://sports.ndtv.com/india-vs-south-africa-2020/ind-vs-sa-2nd-odi-in-lucknow-behind-closed-doors-says-upca-official-report-2193943