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Virat Kohli (Source: X)
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) faced a major roadblock ahead of their Eliminator clash against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. RCB were supposed to hold their only practice session for the crucial encounter at the Gujarat College Ground in Ahmedabad, but reports suggested that the schedule had to be cancelled due to security reasons.
According to Bengali daily Anandabazaar Patrika, Gujarat, police officials hinted that the security threat to former India captain Virat Kohli was the primary reason for cancelling RCB's practice session. It is also reported that four people were arrested from Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport over suspicion of terrorist activity.
The Eliminator clash is scheduled to take place at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Wednesday (May 22). Both teams – RCB and RR – were informed about the massive development by the police in order to take a call on the practice and other match commitments.
Kohli is a national treasure, his security is our utmost priority: Gujarat Police
RCB were not willing to take any risk on the safety of their players and decided not to even hold a press conference on the eve of a must-win match. Meanwhile, the Royals had no problem going ahead with practice at the same venue.
"Virat Kohli learned about the arrests after arriving in Ahmedabad. He is a national treasure, and his security is our utmost priority,” Vijay Singh Jwala, a police officer, was quoted as saying.
"RCB did not want to take a risk. They informed us that there would be no practice session. Rajasthan Royals were also informed about the development, but they had no problems going ahead with their practice,” Vijay Singh added.
It is learned that the police also strengthened the security arrangements outside the team hotel of RCB in Ahmedabad. A 'green corridor' was reportedly arranged for the RR players to reach the ground for training with massive security preparations, but the likes of Ravichandran Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal and Riyan Parag opted to skip the session.