India, West Indies arrive in Kolkata ahead of World Twenty20 warm-up match

Former champions India and West Indies cricket teams arrived here this morning amid tight security ahead of their World Twenty20 warm-up fixture March 10.

The Darren Sammy-led West Indies team, which was camping in UAE, was the first to check in early this morning followed by Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s triumphant group that flew in from Dhaka hours after clinching the Asia Cup title, their sixth in the continental tournament.

West Indies allrounder Dwayne Bravo did not accompany his team to the hotel as he boarded a New Delhi flight moments after landing here.

“He has some personal commitments in New Delhi, he will return in time,” the team’s local manager said.

It was a rest day for both the teams.

Number one ranked India, champions of inaugural edition in 2007, will take on the 2012 winners in a warm-up match at Eden Gardens on March 10.

India will then travel to Mumbai where they face South Africa in a second warm-up game on March 12 before launching their campaign against New Zealand in Nagpur March 15.

The West Indies will camp in Kolkata and face Australia in their second warm-up on March 13.

2009 champions Pakistan, who are scheduled to arrive March 9, will also camp here and play two warm-ups—against Bengal (March 12) and defending champions Sri Lanka (March 14).

Besides the four warm-up matches, the Eden will host four games in the main fixtures including the marquee men and women finals on April 3.