Cricket-mad India fans return for second Test in Chennai - in pictures

Crowds allowed for the first time since pandemic started

Cricket fans head for the second Test between India and England in Chennai. AFP

A fan of the Indian cricket team before the second Test between India and England outside the M.A. Chidambaram Cricket Stadium in Chennai. AFP

A fan of the Indian cricket team gets tri-colours painted on his face before the second Test between India and England outside the M.A. Chidambaram Cricket Stadium in Chennai. AFP

A fan of India gets tri-colours painted on the hands before the second Test between India and England outside the M.A. Chidambaram Cricket Stadium in Chennai. AFP

A fan of Indian cricket team with tri-colours painted on his face cheers before the second Test between India and England outside the M.A. Chidambaram Cricket Stadium in Chennai. AFP

Fans holding the India flag cheer before the second Test between India and England outside the M.A. Chidambaram Cricket Stadium in Chennai. AFP

Spectators holding banners cheer before the second Test between India and England outside the M.A. Chidambaram Cricket Stadium in Chennai. AFP

Fans of India queue up before the second Test. AFP

Fans poured into Chennai's MA Chidambaram Stadium for the second Test against England on Saturday, as cricket-crazy India welcomed live crowds for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic.

As many as 15,000 fans from India's famously noisy and vibrant fanbase - the largest in the world - will be allowed to watch each of the Test's five days in the 50,000 capacity ground.

Officials were enforcing mandatory mask-wearing, social distancing and temperature checks at entry points, though that didn't stop some fans from going mask free.

India has been one of the world's most heavily-hit countries with more than 150,000 Covid-related deaths and the second-highest cases in the world, but fatalities and infections have slowed sharply and most activity is returning to normal.

India suffered a heavy 227-run defeat to England in the opener in Chennai - in an empty stadium - to trail the four-match series 1-0.

But from the first ball the home crowd made its presence known, with the socially-distanced spectators cheering every run.

With tourist travel to India still banned, only England fans living in India could come and support their team.

India won the toss and elected to bat, reaching 106-3 at lunch.