Barabati stadium gears up for T20; India and South Africa to hold separate practice sessions today; galleries open for fans

Ahead of the December 9 T20 international between India and South Africa at Barabati Stadium in Cuttack, both teams are scheduled to conduct practice sessions today.

According to reports, Team India will reach Cuttack and practice in the afternoon, while South Africa is set to train under floodlights.

Galleries Open For Fans

According to the Odisha Cricket Association (OCA), India will practise from 1.30 pm to 4.30 pm, while South Africa will hold a three-hour net session from 5.30 pm to 8.30 pm. Two galleries, Nos. 6 and 7, have been opened to allow spectators to watch the nets.

Meanwhile, BCCI’s pitch curator inspected the wicket yesterday ahead of today’s sessions, even as the Barabati ground is preparing for its first T20 match on a completely red-soil pitch. Accordingly, the Commissionerate Police has imposed traffic restrictions and stepped up deployment around the stadium.

Security Tightened; 50 Platoons Deployed

Commissionerate Police informed that 50 platoons of force and around 300 officers will be deployed in and around the stadium for the match.

Traffic restrictions have been issued for the duration of net practice and match day, with priority being given to secure the movement of players to the stadium.

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Teams Arrived In Bhubaneswar On Sunday

Players of both India and South Africa arrived in Bhubaneswar on Sunday by chartered flight before being moved to their hotel in a secure convoy.

Large crowds gathered along the roads hoping to catch a glimpse of the players, while the teams received a traditional welcome at the hotel, including tribal performances and drum beats.

Some South African players not part of the ODI squad had reached earlier, whereas the remaining members joined the group later yesterday. Officials said the first T20 of the five-match series will be played tomorrow and that the pitch is expected to assist a high-scoring contest.