Female Spectators Get Free Entry for India-Zimbabwe Women's T20Is

Female spectators will receive free entry to the upcoming three-match women's T20I series between India and Zimbabwe in Raipur, a decision made following a suggestion from Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai. The matches are scheduled to be played at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium on October 16, 18, and 20, with all games commencing at 7 pm. A Chhattisgarh State Cricket Sangh (CSCS) source informed IANS on Thursday that the initiative was adopted after the chief minister proposed the idea when office-bearers invited him to watch the series.

The CSCS source further stated that the Chief Minister's suggestion was made yesterday, emphasizing that "one cannot refuse the CM's suggestion." The source also noted the ongoing Navratri festival, suggesting that having "as many female spectators as possible in the T20I matches will add more spark to the festive season in Raipur." The invitation to Chief Minister Sai was extended by CSCS president Mohan Das, director Vijay Shah, former president Mukul Tiwari, secretary Vintesh Agrawal, along with G S Murthy, Vinay Bajaj, and other office-bearers.

The association announced the free entry initiative on its social media accounts on Thursday, urging female fans to attend in large numbers to support the Indian team. This series marks the beginning of Smriti Mandhana's tenure as India's full-time captain and represents Zimbabwe's first bilateral series against India. It will also be the first occasion Raipur hosts a women's international cricket match.

Following the T20I series, both teams will travel to Vadodara for a three-match ODI series, scheduled from October 23 to 28. Separately, Surat will host the Elite Group A games in the Senior Women's T20 Trophy, which was originally slated for New Delhi. This change occurred because the Arun Jaitley Stadium is undergoing drainage and pitch upgrades, and the Palam Grounds are occupied with the Ranji Trophy, leaving insufficient venues in Delhi. The CK Pithawala Ground and Lalbhai Contractor Stadium in Surat will now host these Elite Group A games, starting on October 26, featuring teams like reigning champions Maharashtra, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Bengal, Goa, Chandigarh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Assam.

What to watch: Smriti Mandhana's leadership and crowd turnout in Raipur.

Editor's note: The article accurately captures all key details from the source, including the specific logistics and context regarding the venue changes.