Stage set for local boy Sanju's home turf debut; Capital city in grip of cricket fever

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Both Indian and New Zealand teams arrived in Thiruvananthapuram yesterday for the fifth T20 cricket to be played at Kariavattom stadium on Saturday. The excitement was palpable when Sanju Samson arrived at the airport amidst chants and fanfare. Malayali player Sanju will likely play in an Indian jersey on his home turf for the first time this Saturday. The players and coaches of both teams arrived in a special chartered flight. A team led by Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) Treasurer T Ajith Kumar officially welcomed the players at the airport.

The players were escorted out amidst cheers from excited fans under heavy security. Coach Gautam Gambhir and Harshit Rana were the first to come out. Then Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Rinku Singh, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya and Shreyas Iyer entered the team bus. Captain Surya and Sanju arrived after them.

The Indian team is staying at the Leela Raviz Hotel in Kovalam, and the New Zealand team is staying at the Hyatt Regency. Police tightened security at the airport, hotels and Greenfield Stadium in connection with the match.