Rain forecast in Vizag not a deterrent for India-South Africa test match

Visakhapatnam: Even as India Meteorological Department forecasts a cloudy sky with light rain from October 2, Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) and Vizag district administration have made elaborate arrangements to ensure smooth conduct of the Test match between India and South Africa in Visakhapatnam from October 2 to 6.

The match will be played at the picturesque Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Stadium in the city. The IMD’s local weather report suggests that there could be cloudy sky with light rain in Vizag from October 2 and chances of rain are high from October 5.

A total of seven committees have been formed by the ACA with the District Collector V Vinay Chand, City Police Chief RK Meena, and GVMC Commissioner G Srijana. Vizag will be hosting the first match of the India-South Africa Test series. This is the second Test series to be played in the stadium, the first being the India-England series in 2016.

District Collector and Chairman of the Organising Committee of the Match, Vinay Chand, said that the entire pitch and outfield were covered with water, as rains lashed Vizag for the past few days. As the stadium has an excellent drainage system, the match will commence once the rain stops. Even if it’s cloudy weather, the game will continue with floodlights, he added.

ACA authorities decided to give free entry to students during the five days of the match. The guardians of the students have to purchase the ticket, said President of ACA, P Sarath Chandra Reddy.

Vizag Police Commissioner RK Meena said that the stadium would be put under tight security. Over 900 police personnel will be deployed under the three-tier security arrangements inside and outside the stadium during match days. GVMC has decided to ban plastic usage during the match and decided to supply water through cans with steel glasses.

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