Vadodara gears up for fourth and final India-Windies ODI

Vadodara, Jan 28 (UNI) With two days to go for the all important fourth and final one-dayer between India and visiting West Indies, the picturesque IPCL stadium here is buzzing with activities.

Final touches are being given to the wicket as well as the 20,000 capacity stadium which last witnessed the two teams crossing swords under the captainship of Sourav Ganguly and Carl Hooper four years ago in November, 2002, in the TVS cup series.

Chasing 291 for victory, the then Caribbean team, riding on the scintillating knocks of openers -- Wavell Hinds (80) and Chris Gayle (101), achieved the target losing five wickets with seven balls to spare.

According to curator Vasu Patel, the IPCL wicket has always remained a hunting ground for batsmen and would help batsmen put up fighting score in this match too.

Barring the match against Windies in 2002, India has registered emphatic victories in all other four ODI matches they played at IPCL - against New Zealand in 1994, Zimbabwe (1996), South Africa (2000) and Sri Lanka (2005).

After the Windies' convincing three-wicket victory in the third one-dayer at Chennai yesterday, there was mad rush for tickets of higher denomination of Rs 4,000, Rs 2,000 and Rs 700, while tickets of lower denominations were exhausted within hours after counters were opened a few days ago.

Meanwhile, the city police have made elaborate security arrangements in and around the IPCL ground as both the teams arriving here tonight from Mumbai, are scheduled to practice at the nets for two consecutive days before going for the final assault on Wednesday.

According to BCA sources, apart from 3,000-strong policemen, the association has hired around 200 private security personnel to help police maintain law and order during the match.

UNI