Fever Pitch In Chennai As Cricket-Mad India Fans Return For Second England Test

Mask-wearing fans poured into Chennai's MA Chidambaram Stadium for the second Test against England on Saturday, as cricket-crazy India welcomed live crowds for the first time since the coronavirus

"The IPL was pushed back to the UAE, so we really missed cricket action. I am sure India will fight back and that will be the icing on the cake," he said.

India suffered a heavy 227-run defeat to England in the opener in Chennai -- in an empty stadium -- to trail the four-match series 1-0.

But from the first ball the home crowd made its presence known, with the socially-distanced spectators cheering every run.

With tourist travel to India still banned, only England fans living in India could come and support their team -- and they were expected to be very thin on the ground. Street vendors sold caps, hooters, flags and shirts for around a dollar each around the MA Chidambaram Stadium to home fans excited to be back.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who retired from international cricket last year but captains the Chennai franchise in the Indian Premier League, continues to be the top draw among fans in the city. Skipper Virat Kohli and senior batsman Rohit Sharma also remain popular among young fans who wore their favourite cricketer’s jerseys.