With the much-awaited India vs South Africa T20 International scheduled for December 9 at the iconic Barabati Stadium, the Odisha Police has rolled out one of its largest security deployments ever for a sporting event in the state.
Commissionerate Police has mobilised more than 3,000 personnel, including 9 Additional SPs, 40 DSPs, 65 Inspectors, 325 Sub-Inspectors, 208 APR constables, 73 women constables, one unit of ODRAF, two units of Special Tactical Unit (STU), and 70 platoons of force. The entire stadium, surrounding areas, team hotels, airport-to-stadium routes, and practice venues will remain under multi-layered security cover.
Both teams will arrive in Bhubaneswar on December 7 and travel to Cuttack the next day for net practice. State DGP Yogesh Bahadur Khurania has issued strict instructions to ensure zero lapses in player security and crowd management.
With ticket sales starting December 5 at 10 AM, authorities anticipate a huge rush at the counters. Separate queues, barricades and additional forces have been arranged to prevent chaos and black-marketing.
A high-level coordination meeting chaired by Cuttack DCP Khilari Rishikesh Dyanadeo was held today at Barabati Stadium premises, where officers were briefed on maintaining discipline inside and outside the venue.
Odisha Police has appealed to fans to cooperate fully, follow instructions, and enjoy the match responsibly. “Thousands of cricket lovers will gather; we are fully prepared to prevent any untoward incident,” a senior officer said.
The historic Barabati Stadium is set to witness a full house as fans gear up to watch Rohit Sharma’s men take on the Proteas in what promises to be a thrilling evening of cricket.
