Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli arrive in Raipur by charted flight:Ticket prices from ₹1,500-2,000 in Veer Narayan Singh Stadium; free entry for physically challenged spectators

The One Day International match between India and South Africa will be played on December 3 at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in Raipur. Both teams arrived in Raipur from Ranchi on Monday at 4:30 PM on the same chartered flight. During this, the players waved and greeted the fans. India has taken a 1-0 lead in the series by winning the Ranchi ODI. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and other star players will practice at the stadium tomorrow. However, the festive mood has also been accompanied by challenges around ticket sales, security management, and crowd control. Authorities are working tirelessly to ensure a smooth experience for spectators, while also cracking down on black market and unauthorised activities. Chaos at the ticket counter as students push through the queues Students who booked tickets online in the first phase arrived early to collect their physical copies. By 4 AM, large groups had gathered outside the counter, despite ticket distribution for students being scheduled to start at 10 AM. The long wait led to pushing and shoving among the youth standing in line. In a surprising moment, a group of girls attempted to break the barricades to move ahead in the queue. This resulted in arguments with police officers. To control the situation, the police were forced to use mild force and restore order. During the first phase of online ticket sales, 16,000 tickets were sold out within just 15 minutes at 5 PM. Many fans thought all tickets were gone when they saw the “Sold Out” message online, but officials confirmed that more tickets will be released in the second round. These can later be exchanged for physical tickets. Practice schedule announced for India South Africa Ahead of the match, the practice timings for both teams have been finalised. South Africa will practice first on December 2 from 1:30 PM, followed by India from 5:30 PM. A total of 30 players and officials will arrive with each team. During practice sessions, entry will only be allowed for BCCI cardholders. To assist the teams, 30 local players have been shortlisted. They will get the chance to bowl to top Indian players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli during net sessions. Better facilities and security for spectators Authorities have arranged 22 large water filters across the stadium so spectators do not have to purchase water. Food prices have been fixed, and all vendors must display rate lists clearly to avoid overcharging. On the occasion of World Disability Day on December 3, all differently-abled players in the state will be allowed to watch the match for free, with transportation arranged by the Cricket Association. However, physical tickets can be collected only until December 2. There is still uncertainty about setting up temporary counters near Nava Raipur railway station on match day. Spider camera to be used for the first time in Raipur For the first time ever, a spider camera is being installed at the stadium to enhance live broadcast quality. Along with this, 40 ultra-HD cameras will be placed across the venue. Work on installing advertising boards along the boundary has also begun. To stop black marketing, strict rules have been enforced, a maximum of four tickets can be bought per ID, and around 46,000 tickets will be made available for the match.