Security Tightens at Cricket Stadium After Delhi Blast

Security Tightens at Cricket Stadium After Delhi Blast

Cricket’s big match is happening in Kolkata this week, but there’s a dark cloud hanging over it. A car bomb near Delhi’s Red Fort killed at least 12 people on Monday night.

Now, police are making sure the cricket stadium stays safe for the upcoming game between India and South Africa.

The Eden Gardens stadium in Kolkata is getting some serious protection. More police officers and special security teams will be watching everywhere. Bags won’t be allowed inside.

Metal detectors will check everyone who walks in. It sounds like an airport, but it’s actually just cricket getting extra careful these days.

“We are on high alert,” a police official said. “Special security arrangements are being made because of what happened in Delhi.”

The security doesn’t just stop at the stadium doors. Hotels where the cricket teams are staying have more guards now.

Government buildings nearby, like the high court and city assembly, are getting extra attention too. Nobody’s taking chances right now.

India’s cricket captain Shubman Gill posted something sad on social media.

“Disturbed by the distressing events at the Red Fort,” he wrote. “My thoughts are with everyone impacted.”

Then he went back to practice, trying to focus on the game while honoring the people who got hurt.

When you watch videos of the team practicing on Tuesday, you can see the players going through their normal drills. Gill spent time talking with the head coach Gautam Gambhir near the practice nets.

Batter Yashasvi Jaiswal and fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah practiced catching and batting. They’re trying to stay ready even with everything happening around them.

The first Test match will be India versus South Africa, starting Friday. A Test match is the longest form of cricket; it lasts five days.

Both teams have been playing well lately. India beat the West Indies pretty easily just a month ago.

South Africa won the last World Test Championship, which is like the biggest prize in cricket.

This match is important for both teams. They’re competing in something called the World Test Championship, where countries collect points throughout the season.

India wants to build on a good start. South Africa wants to stay strong as the defending champions.

Some of the regular activities the team usually does might not happen. The coach was supposed to visit a famous temple in the city, but that might get postponed.

Players won’t be walking around freely like they normally do. Security people will keep a close eye on them.

The second cricket match of the series will happen in Guwahati, another city in India, later this month.

That stadium is hosting its first-ever Test match ever, which is pretty exciting under normal circumstances.

But now, security teams are already thinking about how to keep that game safe too.

When the car bomb exploded in Delhi, it shocked the whole country. The police are treating it as a possible terror attack.

The investigation went to a special national agency that handles the most serious cases. After something like that, every major event needs to think about safety first.

For the fans who want to watch cricket at Eden Gardens, it’s going to feel different. The stadium is famous for having super loud, exciting fans who make it hard for the other team.

That energy is part of what makes cricket at Eden Gardens so special. But with all the security checks and limits, the atmosphere might feel a little heavier this time.

Still, both teams want to show that cricket brings people together. Even when bad things happen, the game continues.

The players from India and South Africa want to play well and honor the people who were hurt in Delhi. Sport has a way of helping communities feel a little better during hard times.

This Friday, when the match starts, the world will be watching. Not just for the exciting cricket moments; the boundaries hit, the wickets falling, the incredible catches.

People will be watching to see how a nation recovers and moves forward, how players stay focused.

How fans show up and celebrate the game they love. How safety and sport exist together.

The Eden Gardens have seen a lot of history over the years. Legendary cricketers have played there. Millions of passionate fans have cheered there.

This match will add another chapter, one where cricket happened even when things were tough. That’s what makes the game special.