Bengaluru, March 10: The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) on Thursday allowed 100 per cent crowd attendance for the second India-Sri Lanka Test, which will be a pink ball game and is scheduled to be played at Stadium M Chinnaswamy, starting here on Saturday.
This latest development comes as a change from the previously approved 50 per cent capacity and the decision was made by KSCA following state government approval.
It was learned that the increased demand for tickets led the association to seek government approval. Nearly 10,000 tickets open to the general public were sold out during the first two days, according to KSCA treasurer Vinay Mrithyunjaya, according to a report by ESPNcricinfo.
The KSCA has also opened additional entrances from Friday to cope with increased demand, following its decision to open the entire stadium to spectators.
“Given the high volume of response and given that there are no further restrictions on spectators, KSCA will open ticket sales for the full capacity of the stadium,” the state association said in a statement.
Notably, Bengaluru is hosting a test for the first time since Afghanistan played its opening match in the city in June 2018. The last time it hosted an international match was in January 2020, when Australia toured for a short series of ODI.
Overall, this is India’s third day-night pink ball test at home, following matches in Kolkata against Bangladesh (November 2019) and Ahmedabad against England (February 2021). India won both tests in three days.
Bengaluru was initially scheduled to host the first Test, which was also Virat Kohli’s 100th match in the longer format. However, it was later assigned to host the tour that ended with the second match, as it would help facilitate a direct flight back to Colombo for the Sri Lankan visitors.