IND vs NZ 3rd T20I: Not a series-decider, but big demand for seats

Indian cricketers arrive at NSCBI Airport ahead of their 3rd and final T20 cricket match of the series against New Zealand, in Kolkata, Saturday. Pic/PTI

It's not a series-decider, but there is huge demand for tickets and the black marketeers are in business. While this can be attributed to the craze for the shortest form of the game, what also aligns to the ways of present-day cricket is that both teams - India and New Zealand - will play Sunday's third and final T20 International without a pre-match day practice session. The second game was held at Ranchi on Friday night and both teams arrived in Kolkata on Saturday.

70 per cent crowd allowed

Meanwhile, the pandemic factor looms large. Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) officials have had to get special permission for spectators (70 per cent of total stadium capacity) to return home on Sunday night since night curfew has been imposed in Kolkata.

The CAB wants to felicitate new T20 captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Rahul Dravid, but the officials don't know if they would be allowed on the ground for the ceremony.

Run feast on cards

The Eden Gardens pitch will have good carry and bounce, according to BCCI chief Sourav Ganguly after inspecting the pitch, while his brother Snehasish Ganguly, CAB secretary reckoned the outfield will be fast.

Looks like there will be a run feast at the Eden on Sunday.