Reports: MCA allows 100% seating capacity at Wankhede Stadium for 2nd Test between India and New Zealand

In what can be called a major development, Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) has allowed 100 percent seating capacity for the second Test match between India and New Zealand, which gets underway on December 3. MCA took the decision after getting a green signal from the Maharashtra government.

Notably, MCA’s s Bandra-Kurla Complex will also host a preparatory camp for India’s Te333st specialists ahead of the two-match series against New Zealand, which gets underway on November 25 in Kanpur. With Indian players only playing T20 cricket in the last few months, BCCI wanted their players to get in the groove before taking on the Kiwis.

All the Test specialists including Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara, Umesh Yadav, Mayank Agarwal, Shubman Gill, Wriddhiman Saha, and Umesh Yadav will be part of that camp.

MCA will be hosting a preparatory camp at the Bandra-Kurla Complex

It is learned that all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has requested for a longer break and will join the camp later. With fans coming back to the stadium in full capacity, the Indian players would certainly be determined to put up a better show.

“Yes, the government has allowed MCA to have 100 pe rcent capacity for the second Test at Wankhede. We will also be hosting a preparatory camp at the Bandra-Kurla Complex from Monday to give the players a proper chance to get ready for the series,” the source said.

Notably, MCA had earlier written to the Maharashtra government to allow a full crowd for the second Test India and New Zealand, beginning December 3. They subsequently got permission and MCA officials now have the onus to conduct the game smoothly. Meanwhile, India and New Zealand will lock horns in three T20Is before the action moves towards the Test matches.

Meanwhile, Team India will have a point to prove in the series as they suffered a horrendous campaign in the T20 World Cup 2021. Having lost to Pakistan and New Zealand in their first two fixtures, the side got eliminated from the league stage. Also, the upcoming series will mark the start of a new era in Indian cricket. While Rohit Sharma has replaced Virat Kohli as India’s T20I captain, Rahul Dravid is the new head coach.