India, South Africa land in Guwahati Captain Sharma to arrive on Friday

Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI: The countdown for the second T20 in Guwahati started with the arrival of India and South Africa cricket teams in the city on Thursday afternoon. The match will be held at the ACA Stadium, Barsapara under flood light on Sunday.

It is the third visit for South Africa in Guwahati but it will be the first occasion when the team will face India in an international tie in the city. Earlier they played two ODIs against Sri Lanka and Australia in 1993 (Hero Cup) and 1996 (Titan Cup) respectively at the Nehru Stadium and on both occasions South Africa came out victorious.

The Assam Cricket Association had made elaborate arrangements to receive the teams at the airport and several top officials of the association were present there at the time of arrival of the teams.

India landed in Guwahati without their captain Rohit Sharma and speed star Jasprit Bumarh. Bumrah already ruled out from the series because of his injury. On the other hand Rohit will join the team tomorrow to play the match.

Meanwhile security personnel had to spend tough time to keep the crowd under control as a huge number of them were turned out at the Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International (LGBI) airport to get a look at their favourite cricketers. There was a good crowd in front of the Radisson Blu Hotel too where both the teams are staying.

Meanwhile all the members of India and South Africa accorded warm welcome by the hotel staff and cultural troupe performing Bihu dance. The players and the officials of India and South Africa were welcomed with the traditional Assamese gamosa upon arrival at the hotel. The Indian team will have a full training session on Friday afternoon.

It may be mentioned here that India are now leading the three match T20 series 1-0.

Also Read: La Liga returns with intense seven weeks until FIFA World Cup

Also Watch: