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'A little irresponsible': MI fielding coach on allowing fans for India-England Tests
The Test series between India and England in February witnessed fans returning back to the stadium. The first Test in Chennai was played behind closed doors but 50 percent of spectators were allowed for the second Test in the same venue. An equal number of spectators were allowed at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Motera, Ahmadabad which hosted the 3rd and 4th Test. However, with the city of Pune seeing a rise in Covid-19 cases, the ensuing ODI and T20I series between the two teams were held behind closed doors.
Mumbai Indians fielding coach James Pamment believes that opening the stands to the fans was "irresponsible" as it may have led to Ahmadabad becoming a Covid hotspot at the moment.
Pamment's remarks came after he reached New Zealand following the suspension of the Indian Premier League. There was a rise in Covid-19 cases inside the tournament's bio-bubble which led to BCCI and IPL Governing Council taking a mutual decision to suspend the season mid-way.
Speaking to stuff. co.nz, Pamment, who arrived in India in January, said that the pandemic seemed to be in control in the country at the time, but he saw several large-scale community activities happening in the country. “I wasn't in a bubble in that early period – there was a little bit more interaction in public spaces, there were some political rallies, it was wedding season, they have a few religious festivals around that period and there was just so many mass gatherings that you thought they are running the risk here of allowing it to escalate," he said.
