Teams arrive amid unprecedented security

The Indian and Sri Lankan cricket teams arrived for the third ODI at Jaipur amid unprecedented security, following serial bomb blasts in Delhi. The teams, escorted by a large security contingent, headed straight to the Rajputana Sheraton hotel after their arrival at the airport. SK Nair, the secretary of the Indian board, accompanied the teams and confirmed that the match would be held as scheduled.

The teams were slated to start practice at 10am at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium. A red alert was sounded in the city following the blasts in the national capital and no stone has been left unturned by the local administration for smooth conduct of the match. Earlier, AS Gill, the director general of Police, OP Galhotra, the range IGP, and Lalit Modi, the president of the Rajasthan board, inspected the venue and took stock of the security measures.

With a red alert sounded in the city, Modi held an emergency meting last night with VS Singh, the state home secretary, to take stock of the situation. Sniffer dogs and an bomb squads have also been given instructions to set up pickets in crowded areas and at all entry points of the city like the railway station and bus stands.

The game is crucial for the Sri Lankans, who were outplayed in the opening two matches at Nagpur and Mohali. The stadium has brought mixed luck for India, with three wins and three losses in the six games held here.