No spectators for India v England Pune ODIs

CM Uddhav Thackeray, tourism minister Aditya Thackeray with Milind Narvekar (left) and Maharashtra CA chief Vikas Kakatkar on Saturday

The three ODIs between India and England will be played without spectators.

In a meeting with Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray and tourism minister Aditya Thackeray, Maharashtra Cricket Association president Vikas Kakatkar and Mumbai Cricket Association's Governing Council chairman Milind Narvekar discussed the three ODIs to be held at Pune's MCA stadium from March 23.

"Keeping the seriousness of the current spike in COVID cases in Maharashtra, after inputs from the Honourable Chief Minister, it was decided that permission will be granted for these matches without spectators," the Maharashtra Cricket Association stated on Saturday.

COVID-19 cases have been on a rise in Maharashtra since past few weeks. However, Narvekar told Sunday mid-day that the decision not to allow spectators was taken as a precautionary measure. "Maharashtra has been cautious about crowd gathering. So, this decision is in line with that. It was important to not let go of the matches as Maharashtra is very much capable to conduct international cricket in these times as well," Narvekar said.