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On a day of drama and confusion, the Indian cricket team’s two-day camp ahead of the Pakistan series began on the right note, with the players working for more than two hours at the nets in the floodlit Eden Gardens here on Friday.

The officials of the Cricket Association of Bengal, who had earlier in the day decided to shift the camp to the indoor facility at the Eden because of nagging rains, were relieved as the cricketing stars honed their batting, bowling and fielding skills on the ground regarded as the home of cricket in this part of the world.

The turf, which had become soggy following intermittent overnight rains that stretched into the morning, became playable as the weather gods relented and the 25 groundsmen worked without a break throughout the day.

The camp started an hour behind schedule after the players had a team meeting at their hotel. Post practice, skipper MS Dhoni and master blaster Sachin Tendulkar said they were happy with the ground conditions. “It is fine. It is good,” Tendulkar said while leaving the ground. “There were no problems. We have no complaints,” said Dhoni.

Meanwhile, a strict security cover has been thrown over Guwahati which is hosting the first ODI between India and Pakistan on November 5. From Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi airport at Borjhar where the players are scheduled to arrive on November 4 to the Nehru Stadium, security has been divided in seven zones, Kamrup (Metro) Deputy Commissioner Avinash Joshi and Senior Superintendent of Police, Surinder Kumar told reporters in Guwahati on Friday.

On November 5, a police officer in the rank of Superintendent of Police, will be in-charge of the security of the entire stadium. The district administration has imposed prohibitory orders banning crackers within one km radius of the stadium.

Joshi said although no specific security threat had been perceived for the players, the administration was leaving no stone unturned considering the sensitivity of the match and Pakistan playing for the first time here.

The police has banned several items inside the stadium which includes mobile phones, cameras, food packets, bottles and even bangles. The officials refused to comment on the reported appeal of the Assam Cricket Association (ACA) to the ULFA to help in smooth conduct of the game.

Source:Cricket News