The upcoming Test series between India and Sri Lanka kicks off on March 4th at the PCA Stadium. This match is a major milestone for Virat Kohli, who will play his 100th Test, joining an elite group of Indian legends including Kumble, Dravid, Tendulkar, and Gavaskar. Breaking away from earlier plans to keep the stadium empty, the BCCI has now confirmed that the public will be allowed to attend this historic event.
BCCI Secretary Jay Shah has revealed that the Mohali stadium will be at 50% capacity, allowing thousands of fans to see Kohli reach this incredible century of matches. Shah clarified that the authority to admit crowds lies with the State Cricketing Associations, based on their assessment of the current situation. He confirmed that the Punjab Cricket Association has already given the green light for this arrangement.
According to Jay Shah, the decision to reopen the gates was made possible by the drop in COVID-19 infections across India. This marks a shift from the previous series against the West Indies, which had to be played without spectators. The Secretary shared his best wishes for Kohli, hoping he delivers a great performance and continues to serve the national team for years to come, making this a true celebration for cricket lovers.
RP Singla, the treasurer of the PCA, confirmed that all preparations are in place. He also mentioned that the association plans to formally honor Kohli for reaching the 100-Test milestone. Coming into this game, Kohli boasts an impressive record of 7,962 runs over 99 Tests, maintaining a solid average of 50.39.