Eden faces security test

The last time India and Pakistan played a Test at the Eden Gardens, the match was marred by unruly spectator behaviour.

A major part of the last day's proceedings in the round-robin match of the Asian Test Championship, in February 1999, was played before empty stands. Nearly 50,000 spectators were ejected from the stadium after they resorted to throwing water bottles, stones and fruits on the outfield when an India defeat looked imminent.

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However, this time around the Cricket Association of Bengal is leaving no stone unturned to prevent a repeat of the incident.

"No bottles, no tiffins, no fruits, like apples or oranges will be allowed into the stadium. In short, all kinds of throwable things will not be allowed into the ground," a CAB official informed.

"We are not even allowing or distributing water bottles. The water will be given to everyone in plastic pouches, which, again, cannot be thrown onto the ground.

"In addition to policemen patrolling the circumference of ground, there will be some of them in plainclothes and uniform in the stands as well."

The official also added that nobody would be able to enter the field, as is the case sometimes at some grounds, when a batsman reaches a milestone.

"The fencing is about 12 feet with pointed spikes on the top, which makes it difficult to enter the field of play"

The CAB is also taking special precautions to prevent attempts like those of the Shiv Sena to dig up the pitch at Mohali by having specially-trained commandos deployed inside the ground.

"We are here to prevent miscreants from entering the ground and tampering with the pitch or the outfield. We will resort to any means to defend the ground and the pitch," said Pritish Das, a commando of the Rapid Action Force, stationed inside the Eden Gardens.

Eighteen RAF 18 commandos plus a senior officer of the force at various locations in the stadium should ensure a trouble-free match.