Eden Gardens set for 1st ODI

Kolkata: The Indian and Sri Lankan cricket teams have arrived in Kolkata for their first one dayer at the Eden Gardens scheduled for Thursday.

The venue last hosted a one-dayer in November 2005. That India-South Africa match is most remembered for angry protests by Kolkata cricket fans in view of Sourav Ganguly's ommission from the team.

However, it's a different story now with tight security and a full house in anticipation of D-Day. Meanwhile, Indian coach Greg Chappell arrived in Kolkata amidst a heavy security cover on Tuesday Tight security.

The West Bengal government is taking no chances after what had happened in Bhubaneswar last month when the Australian was assaulted at the airport before the India West Indies one dayer in Cuttack.

The preparations were also on in full swing at Eden Gardens which is hosting a one dayer after almost a year and a half. The last match played here was the India South Africa clash in November 2005.

"We are preparing the pitch as per the ground and pitch committee rules of BCCI. It was said that a firm and bounce wicket be prepared for all matches. We are hence trying to prepare a firm and bounce wicket to play the one dayer against Sri Lanka," said Prabir Mukherjee, curator, Eden Gardens.