Tight security for first ODI
RAJKOT: The first of five one-day internationals (ODI) between India and Sri Lanka will be played under tight security this week with almost 1,500 police deployed to ensure player safety.
"We have deployed 1,500 policemen including three companies of SRP (State Reserve Police )," Deputy Commissioner of Police Mayank Chavda was quoted as saying by Press Trust of India today. "About 100 policemen have been deployed at the hotel for the players security." The first ODI will be played at Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Ground on Tuesday after India last month won the three-Test series 2-0. India and Sri Lanka shared the two-match Twenty20 series 1-1. At the western city of Rajkot, police will be stationed at the venue as well as the Imperial Hotel, where the two teams will stay for three days, PTI reported. Police have also carried out searches in other hotels throughout the city and launched 24-hour patrols.
Spectators will pass through metal detectors at the ground's entries, while some 20 closed circuit cameras have been installed to watch the stands. Last month marked the first anniversary of a terror attack in the Indian city of Mumbai that left more than 170 people dead and prompted England to pull out of the last two matches of a limited-overs series.
The four other one-dayers between India and Sri Lanka will be played at Cuttack, Vishakhapatnam, Calcutta and New Delhi.
