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Teams arrive in Chandigarh

300 commandos and 700 police personnel deployed for security
Sehwag, Mishra, Ishant and Gambhir to arrive on Wednesday

— Photo: PTI

TROOPING IN: The members of the England cricket team arriving at the team hotel in Chandigarh on Tuesday.

Chandigarh: The India and England teams arrived here on Tuesday amidst unprecedented security cover to play the second and final cricket Test in Mohali, beginning on Friday.

The two teams landed at the Air Force station at 4 p.m. with 300 commandos and 700 police personnel deployed for their safety in the wake of the recent terror attacks in Mumbai.

However, Virender Sehwag, Ishant Sharma, Amit Mishra and Gautam Gambhir were not among the Indian players who arrived on Tuesday. A PCA spokesman said these four players would join the team on Wednesday.

The match was originally scheduled to be played in Mumbai but the venue was shifted to Mohali following the terror attacks.

Foolproof security

Superintendent of Police (Security) H.S. Doon said the police had deployed a strong contingent of security personnel, including 300 commandos, to ensure foolproof security cover.

“Commandos have also been deployed on each floor of the hotel where the two teams will stay,” he said.

The cavalcade of the team comprised about 10 vehicles, including vehicles mounted with light machine guns. Movement of traffic on the roads leading to the hotel was also restricted, police said.

Meanwhile, at the PCA and teams’ hotel a ring of three-tier security had been thrown to prevent any untoward incident.

Hotel sources said the teams would be staying on one or two floors and no visitor other than the team members would be provided accommodation on that floor.

The teams are scheduled to have net sessions on Wednesday. — PTI

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