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Ranchi set for full house during second India-New Zealand T20I

India's fans were there in force Getty Images

The second T20I between India and New Zealand is set to be played in front of a full house at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi.

According to Jharkhand State Cricket Association secretary Sanjay Sahay, they are expecting a full house after the state government has given a green signal to "100% capacity". As per a state government notification, people who are double vaccinated or carrying RT-PCR negative result will be allowed entry into the venue.

"The state government has okayed for a full capacity and we are all set to witness a full house in India after a long, long time," Sahay told PTI. "There will also be food available in the stands. Normalcy is back again.

"People have been fed up after being in the lockdown for close to two years and the match, so there's a big excitement for the match tomorrow. There will be people back on the roads again."

He, however, said they would take appropriate COVID measures. "There will be multiple checking and spectators will have to produce double vaccination certificates or a negative RT-PCR result done within 48 hours."

The 39,000-capacity stadium has tickets priced between Rs 900 and Rs 9,000 and all tickets are "virtually sold out".

"We have 80-odd tickets left which are all for the emergency quota and we don't keep them for sale. The seats remain vacant so we are all set to have a full capacity," Sahay said.

Meanwhile, seasoned chief curator Shyam Bahadur Singh is expecting heavy dew on the match day, which means the toss could play a significant role.

"Heavy dew is expected from around 7.30pm onwards. We will take all possible measures to negate the impact," Singh said.

As for the wicket, it would be a typical batting-friendly surface with the bowlers having little advantage.

"It would be a sporting wicket. T20 is a game of entertainment, not a classic version. People will come to watch some power hitting and not to see a Ranji or a Test."

The pitch was last used during the Jharkhand state T20 tournament in July.