Picture Credit: X
After the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) made way to the final of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, the battle for the second team is on. While the SunRisers Hyderabad, who lost to KKR by eight wickets in Qualifier 1, will await their opponent in Qualifier 2, the Rajasthan Royals will lock horns with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) who are coming in red-hot form.
But ahead of the IPL 2024 Eliminator, where RR will take on RCB, the Faf du Plessis-led side was forced to call off the practice due to security threat. As per a report, the Bengaluru-based franchise had to cancel the practice session due to security concerns.
The RCB were set to practice at the Gujarat College Ground in Ahmedabad on Tuesday, May 21, due to the scheduling of the Qualifier 1. But a report published by Anandabazaar Patrika stated that the franchise didn’t even hold the press conference on the eve of the Eliminator due to this unusual move. The report also adds that Gujarat Police hinted on that the primary reason behind the cancellation of the practice session and the press conference was Virat Kohli’s security.
Earlier on the IPL 2024 playoffs, the Ahmedabad Police had arrested four IS suspected terrorists at the airport. Seeing this, the Ahmedabad Police was quick to deploy high security in an around the stadium premises ahead of the IPL 2024 Qualifier 1.
“Virat Kohli learned about the arrests after arriving in Ahmedabad. He is a national treasure, and his security is our utmost priority,” Vijay Singha Jwala, a police officer said. “RCB did not want to take a risk. They informed us that there would be no practice session. Rajasthan were also informed about the development, but they had no problems going ahead with their practice,” he further added.
Seeing the concerns, the police has reportedly strengthened the security arrangements outside the team’s hotel. Moreover, the reports suggest that the IPL accredited members were also not allowed to make an entry to the team hotel, while a green corridor was created for RR to reach the training grounds.
