Bhubaneswar: The Indian and South African cricket teams touched down in Bhubaneswar on Sunday afternoon, kicking off the buildup to the much-anticipated T20 clash scheduled at Barabati Stadium, Cuttack, on December 9.
Both squads arrived at the Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) amid tight security and were driven straight to a luxury hotel in the city. The players received a traditional welcome, complete with a tribal dance and red-carpet entry.
Hotel authorities said the teams have settled into their rooms and will head for practice sessions on Monday.
“We welcomed both teams with a tribal performance. Most of the players have arrived; two or three will join individually. They will proceed for their practice sessions tomorrow,” the hotel president told reporters.
The teams are slated to train at Barabati Stadium on December 8, a day before the match.
With the T20 match expected to draw a packed crowd, the Odisha government, Odisha Police and the Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) have put in place extensive measures for smooth conduct. DGP Yogesh Bahadur Khurania reviewed the security arrangements on Saturday, inspecting player protection, crowd management routes and overall stadium preparedness. DGP said a three-tier security system has been deployed for both teams and spectators.
The city is gearing up for the high-voltage encounter as the countdown to the December 9 showdown begins.
