Preparations on in full swing for the upcoming IPL matches at Barabati Stadium in Cuttack. Picture by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, May 2: An extra security cover will be in place for the two IPL matches that will be played at Barabati Stadium here on May 7 and 11.

Sources said tight security arrangements would be made keeping in view a possible terror attack as two Indian Mujahideen terrorists had visited Cuttack, Bhubanbeswar and Puri in January.

Senior police officials, on the other hand, have also reviewed the arrangements made by the Odisha Cricket Association and Kings XI Punjab, which has made Barabati Stadium its home ground for IPL.

The police officers have also inspected the stadium and discussed various issues with Odisha Cricket Association officials here yesterday.

“Adequate security arrangements will be made for the two matches and security of players at Barabati Stadium,” police commissioner R.P. Sharma said today.

Sharma further said that 36 platoons of police force would be deployed for smooth conduct of the matches and security of players along the route from Mayfair Hotel in Bhubaneswar up to Barabati Stadium.

Besides, special emphasis will be given on security of players during their practice sessions at Barabati.

Kings XI Punjab will play two matches against Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders on May 7 and 11 respectively at Barabati Stadium. The preparations for the twin matches have almost reached final stages and entire arrangement is being made by Kings XI Punjab. The Odisha Cricket Association has extended full cooperation to the team management in hosting the matches here.

“We are satisfied with the arrangements and facilities at Barabati stadium and we have so far received good response as bulk of the tickets for the first match have almost been sold out,” said Kings XI Punjab operations manager Anant Sarkaria.

As the Twenty20 matches of the IPL have returned to Cuttack after a gap of almost two years when Deccan Chargers had made Barabati their home ground, both the matches are expected to draw large number of spectators from across the state.

“With the tickets of the matches available online, we could easily buy tickets without standing in long queues at the counters which would have been very time consuming,” said Sidharth Shankar, a student from Bhubaneswar.

An official of the Odisha Cricket Association said both the matches at Barabati would be exciting as a lot of cricket fans are keen to watch international players such as Virendra Sehwag, David Miller, Maxwell and George Bailey playing for the Kings XI Punjab.

Similarly, many cricket enthusiasts are looking forward to have a glimpse of Indian players Mahendra Singh Dhoni, R. Ashwin, Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja and others playing for Chennai Super Kings.