Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli to Arrive in Raipur Today as Ticket Frenzy Peaks Ahead of India-SA ODI
Raipur is set to witness a massive cricket celebration as star Indian players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli arrive in the city today for the India vs South Africa One-Day International scheduled on December 3. The match will be held at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium, where excitement has already reached fever pitch. India currently leads the ODI series 1–0 after a strong victory in Ranchi, making the Raipur clash even more crucial.
Both India and South Africa are travelling together on a chartered flight and are expected to land in Raipur around 4:30 PM. Fans have already started gathering near the airport and stadium, hoping to catch a glimpse of their favourite players.
Ticket Rush Turns Chaotic at Counters
Ticket prices for the ODI range between ₹1,500 and ₹2,000, depending on the stand. While online tickets sold out rapidly—16,000 tickets disappearing in just 15 minutes during the first phase—the offline distribution created chaos on the ground.
Students who booked online arrived as early as 4 AM to collect physical tickets, despite counters officially opening at 10 AM. Long queues soon turned into pushing and shoving, forcing police to intervene. At one point, a group of girls attempted to break a barricade to move ahead, leading to arguments and minor use of force by the police to restore order.
Officials have assured fans that more tickets will be released in the second phase, and these too must be exchanged for physical copies before December 2.
Practice Schedule Finalised
The practice timetable for both teams has been officially announced.
South Africa will practice on December 2 from 1:30 PM
India will practice from 5:30 PM
Only BCCI cardholders will be permitted inside the stadium during practice. Around 30 local players have been shortlisted to assist in the net sessions, including bowling to Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
Improved Facilities and Security
Authorities have put strict measures in place to ensure a smooth experience for nearly 46,000 spectators.
22 free water filter units have been set up across the stadium.
Food vendors must follow fixed prices and display rate lists.
Strict rules allow only four tickets per ID to prevent black marketing.
In a special gesture for World Disability Day on December 3, all physically challenged spectators will be granted free entry, with transportation arranged by the Cricket Association.
Spider Camera to Debut in Raipur
For the first time, a spider camera will be used in the Raipur stadium, along with 40 ultra-HD cameras to enhance the live broadcast experience. New advertising boards are being installed along the boundary as part of the preparations.
With fans flooding the city and security tightened, Raipur is fully geared up for one of its biggest cricket events of the year.
