Good news ushered in for cricket fans as Arun Jaitley stadium is all set to host the first T20I match between India and South Africa with full capacity fans. The five-match series is scheduled to commence from June 9 to June 19.
"First match with South Africa is scheduled to be held in Delhi on June 9 and DDCA is preparing for this match to welcome fans in full capacity.
A source in DDCA told Sports Tak, "We decided to go ahead with 100 per cent fans at ground for this match, all necessary requirement have been done and we are hopeful for houseful show".
The source also said that it's almost three years when DDCA hosted any international match since Covid time, so there will be all arrangements keeping in mind Covid safety. Sports Tak had already reported that all five venues are likely to have full capacity of fans at grounds.
"At Arun Jaitley ground last T20I match was played between India and Bangladesh back in November 2019, which was in pre Covid era and now fans are coming back to ground we are really excited to welcome them back," the source further added.
Meanwhile, bigwigs of Indian men's cricket including skipper Rohit Sharma are all set to be given rest for the forthcoming five-match T20 series against South Africa, in the backdrop of marquee tour of England in July.
Besides, the national selection committee is also set to excuse Jasprit Bumrah and Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul from the engagements against the Proteas.
It is understood that veteran opener Shikhar Dhawan and all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who has impressed one and all with his captaincy for Gujarat Titans in IPL-15, are in reckoning for the leadership role for both South Africa and the short two-match T20I series against Ireland.
The T20 rubber against the Proteas will start in the national capital on June 9 with the remaining matches being held at Cuttack, Visakhapatnam, Rajkot and Bengaluru respectively.
The squad for the SA series is likely to be selected on May 22, the last day of the league phase of this edition of IPL, in Mumbai.
It was earlier learnt that an out-of-form Virat Kohli will also be given a much-needed break but it is understood that for the selectors as well as the BCCI, the tour of England starting early July is paramount.
