Gavaskar Weighs in on the BCCI’s Decision to Ban Spectators from Virat Kohli’s 100th Test Match

‘You want the crowd to be there. The Test is very special’: Gavaskar reacts to the BCCI’s decision to ban spectators from Kohli’s 100th Test match.

Kohli would join famous players Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and now even Gavaskar as the 12th Indian cricketer to reach this milestone.

Virat Kohli, Former India captain, will make his record 100th Test performance for India. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has chosen not to admit onlookers at the PCA Stadium at Mohali for the opening Test of the two-match series versus Sri Lanka on March 4. Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar weighed in on the BCCI’s stance on Monday.

Kohli would join the likes of Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, and even Sunil Gavaskar as the 12th Indian batsman to reach this milestone. The PCA treasurer, RP Singla, announced on Saturday that the Mohali Test would be contested behind locked doors, according to a BCCI directive.

“Yes, apart from the people, who are on duty for the Test match, we are not allowing any general spectators as per the directive of BCCI,” Singla told.

“Still there are fresh COVID cases emerging in and around Mohali, so it’s better we take all safety protocols. Obviously, the fans miss out because an international match at Mohali is happening after almost three years.”

Gavaskar voiced his unhappiness with the choice in an interview with India Today for Kohli’s 100th Test, yet felt it was made with greater care.

“Any game that you play, you want the crowd to be there. India has played without any crowds in recent times. Any performer, be it an actor, be it a cricketer, wants to play in front of the crowd. The 100th Test is very very special. Disappointing that there is going to be no crowd, but I think the decision has been taken in the greater interest. The cases have increased in and around Mohali, where the match is going to be played,” he said.

But, it has been claimed that the second match, a Day-Night Test and played within Bengaluru, would draw a 50% audience.