India vs New Zealand, 3rd ODI: Teams arrive in Kanpur for series decider

Courtesy: PTI

New Delhi: The Indian and New Zealand cricket teams arrived in Kanpur for the third and final ODI match of the series. The iconic Green Park stadium in the city will host the series decider on Sunday (October 29).

India leveled the series 1-1 on Wednesday with a six-wicket win in Pune. The Kiwis have won the first match by an identical margin in Mumbai last week.

Upon arrival, players were greeted with flowers and presented shawls.

In 2016, India had famously played New Zealand in their 500th Test match. Then, a special cake was cut commemorating the landmark match.

The Green Park will host its first ever ODI under lights on Sunday.

Lesson learnt after the Pune pitch fiasco, the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) has beefed up security around the 22-yard strip for the match. UPCA acting secretary Yudhvir Singh said the security officials at the Green Park Stadium have been clearly instructed to not allow anyone into the venue without a valid pass.

The groundsmen too have been strictly instructed not to discuss the nature of the pitch with anyone.

BCCI curator Taposh Chatterjee is overseeing pitch preparations for the crucial game.

"We have to be more careful after the incident in Pune. The police officials have been told that only individuals with valid accreditation can enter the stadium. This practice was already in place but we are extra-cautious now," Singh told PTI ahead of the series decider between India and New Zealand on Sunday.

"The groundsmen too have been instructed that they don't need to discuss the nature of the pitch with anyone. What's the need for that anyway," Singh added.

The extra vigil here comes after the suspension of Pune curator Pandurang Salgaoncar, who allegedly agreed to tamper the pitch ahead of the second ODI in Pune.

It has been learnt that Shiv Kumar, the tubewell operator who rose to become the curator at Green Park, has returned to the venue and has been helping in pitch preparation unofficially.

Kumar was shifted to Ghazipur ever since UP Police arrested three bookies for tampering with playing conditions before an IPL game earlier this year.

(With PTI inputs)