|| India Correspondent ||

The three-match One Day International series between India and England which is slated to take place in Pune initially has received the nod from the Maharashtra state government. However, the matches will be played behind closed doors on March 23, 26 and 28 due to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in the state.

However, the decision was taken after a meeting of the Maharashtra Cricket Association President Vikas Kakatkar with the Mumbai Cricket Association's Governing Council chairman Milind Narvekar, Maharashtra's Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and the Tourism and Environment Minister Aditya Thackeray as well.

"Keeping the seriousness of the current spike in Covid cases in Maharashtra, after inputs from the Honourable Chief Minister, it was decided that permission will be granted for these matches without spectators," the Maharashtra Cricket Association stated in a release on Saturday (February 27).

"The Chief Minister requested the president of the Maharashtra Cricket Association to take all necessary precautions regarding players and other officials. With these, the uncertainty of holding the three One-Day Internationals has ended and the association can start preparatory works like obtaining various. permissions for smooth conduction of the matches," it further added.

However, both teams will play the final Test in Ahmedabad and later the five-match T20I series will be played at the same venue as well. After that, both the Indian and England contingent will head to Pune for the three-match ODI series.