Virat Kohli and Co will be looking to continue their series winning streak at home. Photo: Rinku Raj Mattancheriyil Thiruvananthapuram: As India and New Zealand are ready to lock horns in the series-deciding third and final Twenty20 match on Tuesday, the capital city should consider itself incredibly lucky to host an encounter of this stature.
The first-ever T20 international match hosted by the state at the Sports Hub, Kariavattom, is expected to be a high-octane thriller with both teams going all out to wrap up the series. The hosts will be looking to continue its series winning streak at home, while the Black Caps will be determined to stop the Indian juggernaut and buck the trend.
Training session canceled
Players, officials and support staff of both India and New Zealand teams arrived in the capital late on Monday to a rousing welcome. The players, after their arrival at the airport, were taken immediately to the Leela Raviz, Kovalam.
Though the team managements had informed the organizers that the teams would practice at the venue on Monday, the plan was dropped as the players were exhausted after back-to-back matches and long journeys. Special arrangements have been made for them to undergo training at the hotel gym.
-
Kerala gears up for T20I
Indian skipper Virat Kohli takes a selfie even as a crowd of over enthusiastic supporters vie to get a glimpse of their favorite star. Photo: Tony Dominic
![Kerala gears up for T20I]()
-
Kerala gears up for T20I
The first-ever T20 international match hosted by the state at the Sports Hub, Kariavattom, is expected to be a high-octane thriller with both teams going all out to wrap up the series. Photo: Rinku Raj Mattancheriyil
![Kerala gears up for T20I]()
-
Kerala gears up for T20I
MS Dhoni looked all set to take on the Black Caps in the series-decider.Photo: Rinku Raj Mattancheriyil
![Kerala gears up for T20I]()
-
Kerala gears up for T20I
The hosts will be looking to continue its series winning streak at home. Photo: Rinku Raj Mattancheriyil
![Kerala gears up for T20I]()
-
Kerala gears up for T20I
The state capital is staging an international cricket match after a gap of almost three decades. The West Indies team had defeated the Indian side led by Ravi Shastri, the present coach, on January 25, 1988, at the University Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. Photo: Rinku Raj Mattancheriyil
![Kerala gears up for T20I]()
-
Kerala gears up for T20I
Indian skipper Virat Kohli waves to the eagerly awaiting crowd at the Thiruvananthapuram airport. Photo: Rinku Raj Mattancheriyil
![Kerala gears up for T20I]()
-
Kerala gears up for T20I
No Monday morning blues for these scores of supporters, who turned up early at the airport to catch a glimpse of their favorite stars. Photo: Rinku Raj Mattancheriyil
![Kerala gears up for T20I]()
-
Kerala gears up for T20I
The inclement weather conditions notwithstanding, ticket prices for the match have skyrocketed in the black market. Photo: Rinku Raj Mattancheriyil
![Kerala gears up for T20I]()
-
Kerala gears up for T20I
The Black Caps will be determined to stop the Indian juggernaut and buck the trend in the series-deciding third and final Twenty20 match on Tuesday. Photo: Rinku Raj Mattancheriyil
![Kerala gears up for T20I]()
-
Kerala gears up for T20I
The Kerala capital city should consider itself incredibly lucky to host an encounter of this stature. Photo: Rinku Raj Mattancheriyil
![Kerala gears up for T20I]()
-
Kerala gears up for T20I
Players, officials and support staff of both India and New Zealand teams arrived in the capital late on Monday to a rousing welcome. Photo: Rinku Raj Mattancheriyil
![Kerala gears up for T20I]()
-
Kerala gears up for T20I
The players, after their arrival at the airport, were taken immediately to the Leela Raviz, Kovalam. Photo: Rinku Raj Mattancheriyil
![Kerala gears up for T20I]()
The team captains took a look at the pitch at the Sports Hub in Kariavattom Monday morning.
There were brief spells of rain in Thiruvananthapuram and surrounding areas during the past two days. The meteorological department has forecast rain on Tuesday. Private websites providing weather information have also predicted moderate rains between 3 pm and 7 pm on match day.
However, the stadium boasts the Fishpond Drainage system, which will efficiently tackle the problem of rain delay. The pitches have been remaining under cover since Saturday.
Tickets sold in black
The inclement weather conditions notwithstanding, ticket prices for the match have skyrocketed in the black market.
According to sources, tickets priced at Rs 1,000 are sold at double the price through social networking sites, including Facebook.
Fans on the lookout for tickets are being warned not to be conned into buying fake tickets. The tickets issued by the Kerala Cricket Association are printed with a hologram.
Read more: T20 @ Greenfield | Teams arrive, Kerala gears up for 3rd T20I
