India-New Zealand Kanpur Test could be played before empty stands due to dengue threat

The India vs New Zealand series is just six days away, with the first Test scheduled for the 22^nd of September at the Green Park stadium in Kanpur. Ahead of that game,however, there is a massive dengue threat looming large and there is a possibility that Test could be played before empty stands.

The city has already been severely hit by the disease with over 800 people testing positive for it and to make matters worse, some of the security who were to be in-charge during the game are also a part of the diseased list, including the Additional Superintendent of Police, Mr.Jitesh Srivastava

“Around 300 police personnel are undergoing treatment for viral fever and dengue, and these include station incharges and constables,” Kanpur Senior Superintendent of Police, Shalabh Mathur told the Hindustan Times.

It is learnt a huge pile of waste were found near the venue recently and the secretary of the association Mr Rajeev Shukla had told the authorities to clean it up.

“No fogging has been done in or around the stadium as of now,” An official from the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association(UPCA) told the Hindustan Times.

“The UPCA has already made the district administration and health department aware but nothing has been done so far,” he added.

However, the association have a backup plan, in case they do not get fans to the venue. They intend to give school children and college students a free entry into the venue to ensure that the ground doesn't go empty and has at least a few fans, rooting for their favourite stars.

“In case, fans don’t turn up during the match, UPCA has plans to give free entry to school and college students to avoid a no-fan situation during the match,” he said.

The Northern part of India has been severely hampered by diseases, with Chikungunya affecting many lives in Delhi as well. Here’s hoping that the people in both cities recover fast and we get to see a full house in Kanpur next week when the two teams take to the field.