India vs New Zealand: Fans with at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose allowed for Jaipur T20I

Mahendra Sharma, Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) Secretary, on Tuesday (November 10) announced that those vaccinated at least once for Covid-19 will be allowed as spectators for the first India-New Zealand T20I at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur on November 17, provided they present a negative RT-PCR Covid-19 test report, not older than 48 hours before the match.

“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,” Sharma said.

As a mark of precaution, the spectators will have to follow all government protocols, including wearing masks and social distancing. “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.”

“To discuss various issues and tasks related to preparations before the organisation of the match, a meeting of the Organising Committee constituted for the organisation of match will be held on November 10 at 4 PM at RCA academy,” he added.

New Zealand will tour India for three T20Is and two Tests from November 17 to December 7, starting with the Jaipur T20I, followed by subsequent encounters on November 19 in Ranchi and November 21 in Kolkata. The two Tests will be played in Kanpur (November 25-29) and Mumbai (December 3-7).

The series will be the first assignment for Rahul Dravid as India’s permanent head coach after Ravi Shastri’s tenure ended with the team’s premature exit from the T20 World Cup. The selection committee has named Rohit Sharma as the captain, and KL Rahul as his deputy, while a host of first-choice players have been rested.

India T20I squad for New Zealand series: 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