Bhubaneswar, 7 December (H.S.): Players of both India and South Africa arrived in Bhubaneswar on Sunday ahead of the opening match of the five-match T20I series, set to be played at the historic Barabati Stadium in Cuttack on December 9.

The teams travelled together on a special chartered flight and were welcomed at the Biju Patnaik International Airport amid high enthusiasm from fans. From the airport, the squads were escorted in special buses under tight security to their designated hotel in Bhubaneswar.

According to officials, both teams, along with their support staff, have reached the city and are scheduled to participate in a practice session at Barabati Stadium later in the evening.

Several South African players who were not part of the ODI squad had already arrived earlier, while the remaining members joined today. A few more players are expected to reach by late evening as preparations intensify for the much-anticipated series opener.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda