Special security for Greg in Kolkata

Chappell would be given extra security during his stay in the city, as Ganguly's fans were feared to target him for his stance against the local hero.

Indian cricket team coach Greg Chappell would be given extra security during his stay in the city for Friday's match, as fans of Sourav Ganguly were feared to target him for his stance against the local hero.

HT Image

The team is arriving on Wednesday night for the fourth One-Day International (ODI) against South Africa at the Eden Gardens.

"We have made equal security arrangements for all players. For Chappell, we are making some special arrangements, including deployment of plainclothes policemen around him," senior police officer NC Babu said on Wednesday.

"We are ready to tackle any situation," he said.

Kolkata has been witness to regular slogan shouting and effigy burning in the past weeks following Ganguly's dismissal as the team's captain and his removal from the ODI team.

The protests prompted the city police to make heavy security arrangements for the former Australian cricketer.

Security personnel were being deployed around the stadium from Wednesday morning.

Police expected fans' demonstrations both outside the Eden Gardens as well as at the hotel where the teams would stay.

The city's film stars and some politicians, including a minister, have also rallied behind the beleaguered cricketer, calling for a boycott of the match.

Ganguly, meanwhile, was on a comeback trail as the national selectors included him in the Test squad for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka.