Adoring Indian cricket fans thronged the venue in Chennai to witness their team take on India on the first day of the second cricket Test against England yesterday.
It was quite a contrast to Sri Lankan fans debarred from witnessing last month’s Test series against England.
India is the second most affected country with coronavirus while Sri Lanka boasted of being in the top ten most successful countries to keep the virus under control but continues to ban fans from sporting events.
India down 0-1 in the four match series won the toss and decided to bat first and after a shock start of losing opener Shubman Gill for a duck, went on to make 300 for 6 at the end of the day’s play with Rohit Sharma making an imposing 161 with 18 fours and two sixes.
Skipper Virat Kohli was also out for a duck in the fifth ball he faced, bowled by off spinner Moeen Ali who replaced Dom Bess while Ajinkya Rahane chipped in with 67.
Scores: India 300 for 6 (Rohit Sharma 161, Ajinkya Rahane 67, Rishabh Pant 33 n.o., Jack Leach 2 for 78, Moeen Ali 2 for 112) vs England